The dentist uses specialized instruments to gently remove tartar that accumulates on teeth between cleaning visits without harming the teeth.

Once all the surfaces are smooth you may have your teeth polished. Polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end, along with special gritty toothpaste like material. Polishing serves to remove the final bacterial film that forms naturally on the teeth.

A routine scaling and polishing is an excellent way to establish a healthy baseline of cleanliness in the mouth.