What actually happens at a scale and polish

Why brushing alone isn't enough

Plaque you can brush away. But plaque that sits too long hardens into tartar, and once it's hard, no toothbrush on earth will shift it. Tartar collects along the gumline and between teeth, and it's the main driver of bleeding gums and gum disease. Removing it needs professional tools, and that's the whole job of a scale and polish.

The steps

A hygiene visit usually runs 30 to 45 minutes:

1. 1/A quick look around your mouth first, checking your gums and noting where the build-up is.
2. 2/The scaler does the main work. It's a small tip that vibrates very fast with a fine water spray, and it feels buzzy and tickly rather than sharp. It flicks tartar off the teeth without cutting anything.
3. 3/Fine hand tools follow up in the tight spots between teeth and under the gumline.
4. 4/The polish comes last, a soft spinning cup with gritty toothpaste that leaves the teeth glassy smooth. This is the bit where your tongue won't stop exploring afterwards.
5. 5/We finish with honest, practical advice on the one or two things that would make the biggest difference to your home care. No lectures.

Does it hurt?

For most people, no. It feels odd, buzzy and occasionally scrapey, but not painful. The honest exception: if your gums are already inflamed, they can be tender and may bleed a little during the clean. That's the gum disease talking, not the clean, and it improves dramatically once the tartar is gone. Tell us if you're sensitive and we'll go gently, always.

How often, and how much

Most people do well with a professional clean every six to twelve months, and we'll recommend an interval honestly based on your gums, not a template. At Supertooth a scale and polish starts from $150, or $149 bundled with a full exam and X-rays for new patients until 30 August 2026.