Complete Guide to Teeth Cleaning: Procedure, Cost, Benefits and Aftercare

Want to keep your teeth bright and prevent gum disease? Teeth cleaning is one of the simplest ways to protect your oral health.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know, including the teeth cleaning procedure, cost, benefits, aftercare tips, and answers to common questions such as “Does teeth cleaning hurt?” and “How often should I get my teeth cleaned?”

Our dental team provides safe and comfortable cleaning services to help you maintain a healthy, confident smile.

What Is Teeth Cleaning?

Teeth cleaning — also known as professional dental cleaning or scaling and polishing — is a preventive dental procedure performed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Using specialised ultrasonic instruments and manual tools, your dental professional removes plaque, tartar (calculus), and surface stains from your teeth.
This treatment not only keeps your smile clean and fresh but also helps prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.

Regular teeth cleaning is an essential part of maintaining lifelong oral health and forms the foundation for a brighter, healthier smile.

Why Regular Teeth Cleaning Is So Important – The Key Benefits

Many people believe that brushing twice a day and using dental floss or interdental brushes are enough to keep their mouth clean. In reality, even with excellent daily oral hygiene, it’s nearly impossible to completely remove all plaque from between the teeth and along the gumline. Over time, this soft plaque hardens into tartar (calculus) — a rough mineral deposit that cannot be removed by brushing alone and requires professional teeth cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.

If tartar is left untreated, it can irritate the gums and lead to several oral health problems, such as:

Swollen or bleeding gums
Gum disease (including bone loss and loose teeth)
Bad breath (halitosis) caused by bacteria and inflammation
Yellow or stained teeth, affecting both appearance and confidence

In today’s busy urban lifestyle, frequent consumption of coffee, tea, and tobacco makes people more prone to staining and tartar build-up. That’s why regular professional teeth cleaning is not just about appearance — it’s a crucial preventive dental treatment that protects your long-term oral health.

Main Benefits of Regular Teeth Cleaning

Removes plaque and tartar to prevent gum disease and gingivitis
Freshens your breath by reducing bacteria build-up
Reduces gum swelling and bleeding
Smoothens and brightens tooth surfaces, preventing new stains
Allows early detection of dental problems like cavities or gum issues

In summary, regular dental cleaning is more than a cosmetic routine — it’s an essential investment in your oral health. By visiting your dentist every six months for professional cleaning, you can effectively prevent tartar accumulation, reduce the risk of periodontal disease, and maintain fresh breath and a confident, healthy smile for years to come.

Professional Teeth Cleaning and Oral Examination - Caring for Your Oral Health

No matter where you are in Hong Kong, we offer convenient and professional dental care. With five clinics located in Central, Tung Chung, and Discovery Bay, we make it easy for you to access trusted dental treatment.

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Smith & Jain Dentist
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Tung Chung

Bayside Dental Discovery Bay
North Plaza

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Main Plaza

Teeth Cleaning Procedure

Teeth cleaning (Scaling and Polishing) is a safe and routine dental treatment that usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes.

The procedure is performed by a dentist or dental hygienist using professional ultrasonic and manual instruments. It is gentle, and most patients do not experience any pain or discomfort.

Here’s what typically happens during a professional cleaning session:

1️⃣ Oral Examination

Before starting, your dentist will carefully examine your overall oral condition, including:

Checking for signs of gum inflammation, bleeding, or swelling
Assessing plaque and tartar accumulation
Identifying possible gum disease, tooth decay, or gum recession

If advanced gum disease or heavy tartar build-up is found, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing) in stages to ensure effective results.

💡 Dentist’s Tip: Brushing alone cannot remove tartar. Only professional dental cleaning performed by a dentist or hygienist can safely and completely remove these hardened deposits.

2️⃣ Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning (Scaling)

The dentist or hygienist will use an ultrasonic scaler and fine hand instruments to remove:

Plaque and tartar from the surface and between teeth
Deposits from beneath the gumline

You may hear a gentle buzzing sound and feel a light mist of water — this is completely normal. If your gums are inflamed or sensitive, slight bleeding may occur, which usually subsides within a few days.

3️⃣ Polishing

After tartar removal, your dentist will polish your teeth using a special fine-grain polishing paste.
This helps to:

Smoothen and brighten tooth surfaces
Reduce future plaque build-up
Improve the appearance and freshness of your smile

4️⃣ Fluoride Treatment (Optional)

Some patients may opt for a fluoride gel or varnish after cleaning. This treatment helps to:

Strengthen tooth enamel
Prevent tooth decay
Reduce post-cleaning sensitivity

🦷 Aftercare Tips – What to Expect After Teeth Cleaning

It’s normal to experience temporary sensitivity or mild gum bleeding after cleaning. These effects usually disappear within a few days. To promote healing and maintain long-term oral health, follow these care recommendations:

Avoid very hot or cold food and drinks

Teeth may be slightly more sensitive after cleaning, so avoid extreme temperatures to prevent irritation.

Avoid smoking or dark-coloured beverages for 24 hours

Drinks such as coffee, tea, and red wine can cause staining right after cleaning — it’s best to avoid them for the first day.

Maintain good oral hygiene

Brush twice daily and floss or use interdental brushes to remove debris and extend the benefits of your cleaning.

Minor gum bleeding is normal

If slight bleeding or swelling occurs, it should subside within two to three days. Contact your dentist promptly if bleeding persists or discomfort worsens.

Schedule regular check-ups

Follow your dentist’s recommended recall interval to monitor gum health and prevent tartar build-up over time.

Does Teeth Cleaning Hurt?

This is one of the most common questions patients ask before booking a dental cleaning. In most cases, teeth cleaning does not hurt. You may simply feel a mild vibration or a fine mist of water during the ultrasonic scaling process.

However, some patients may experience temporary discomfort or sensitivity if any of the following conditions are present:

Heavy tartar build-up: When removing thick tartar, the ultrasonic vibrations may slightly irritate the gums.
Gum inflammation or periodontal disease: Inflamed gums are more sensitive to touch and may bleed or feel sore during cleaning.
Sensitive teeth: If you have exposed roots or worn enamel, you may feel a brief tingling sensation when the scaler reaches these areas.

These sensations are generally mild and fade naturally within one or two days after the procedure. Modern dental clinics now use low-vibration ultrasonic scalers combined with warm water rinsing systems to enhance comfort. In cases of severe sensitivity, local anaesthesia can also be applied to ensure a pain-free experience.

If you are particularly sensitive to pain, simply inform your dentist before the procedure. Your dentist can adjust the cleaning intensity or perform it in shorter sections to make the session more comfortable and relaxing.

How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?

Regular professional cleaning is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. According to dental recommendations, the ideal frequency is:

For most people: Every 6 months
For smokers, diabetic patients, or those prone to gum disease: Every 3 to 4 months

Scheduling regular teeth cleaning helps to:

Prevent tartar build-up and plaque accumulation
Reduce the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease
Improve breath freshness and reduce odour
Keep teeth bright, smooth, and stain-free

Skipping regular dental cleaning allows tartar to accumulate below the gumline, leading to gum infection, bone loss, and even tooth loosening.
For optimal oral health, it’s highly recommended to maintain consistent check-ups and professional cleaning sessions.

Teeth Cleaning Cost in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the cost of a professional teeth cleaning can vary depending on factors such as the dentist’s or dental hygienist’s experience, the equipment used, and the services included.

Some clinics include a dental check-up, fluoride treatment, or oral care advice as part of the cleaning fee. If a deep cleaning or periodontal treatment is required, the cost may be higher. Choosing a well-equipped and reputable dental clinic ensures not only better cleaning results but also allows the dentist to detect early signs of gum or periodontal issues, preventing potential complications later on.

Professional dental clinics usually provide transparent and detailed pricing, so patients are encouraged to understand the treatment details and fee breakdown before starting. To find out the latest cleaning fees or treatment options, you can contact any of our clinics or book a consultation for a personalised oral health assessment and care plan.

💡 Tip: If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned for a long time or have noticed bleeding gums or bad breath, it’s best to schedule a “Teeth Cleaning + Comprehensive Dental Check-up” to evaluate your gum and periodontal health more thoroughly.