Treatment

Scaling, polishing and teeth whitening

Scaling removes the hardened plaque, called tartar or calculus, that brushing cannot shift once it has set. It builds up fastest along the gum line and between the back teeth, and it is the direct cause of the bleeding gums most people assume are normal. Polishing smooths the tooth surface afterwards so fresh plaque takes longer to stick. Whitening is a separate step and a cosmetic one: it lifts staining from tea, coffee, tobacco and paan out of the enamel, and does nothing about the tartar underneath. The two are often done in one appointment because whitening only works properly on a clean surface. Neither procedure removes healthy tooth structure. Scaling can leave teeth feeling temporarily sensitive, because the surface it uncovers has been insulated for a long time, and that usually settles within a few days.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Binaya Bhandari, Owner and Dental Surgeon, NMC 20701. Last updated 16 August 2026.

Ultrasonic scaler removing plaque and tartar from a patient's teeth during scaling and polishing — Scaling lifts hardened plaque that brushing cannot reach.

When do you need this treatment?

Your gums bleed when you brush or floss
You can see yellow or brown deposits near the gum line
Persistent bad breath that brushing does not fix
Tea, coffee, cigarettes or paan have dulled the colour of your teeth

What happens during your visit?

1Ultrasonic scaling to break up and flush away tartar, above and below the gum line
2Polishing to smooth the tooth surface
3Advice on the brushing or flossing habit that let the build-up happen
4Whitening, if you want it, discussed separately, and cosmetic rather than treatment

What happens if you leave it untreated?

Tartar left in place keeps the gums permanently inflamed. Over time that inflammation destroys the bone holding the teeth, which is periodontitis, and that bone loss does not grow back. Gum disease is the most common reason adults lose teeth, and it stays painless until it is advanced.

What is recovery like?

Most people eat normally the same day. Teeth commonly feel sensitive to cold for two to three days after a scaling, and gums can be tender where there was a lot of inflammation. After whitening, avoid strongly coloured food and drink for about 48 hours while the enamel rehydrates.

General guidance only. Your own recovery depends on your case, and the dentist treating you will tell you what to expect.

Questions you might have

Scaling & Polishing, Teeth Whitening

Does scaling damage or loosen my teeth?

No. Scaling removes deposits from the tooth surface, not tooth structure. Teeth sometimes feel looser afterwards because the tartar was acting as a splint around teeth that gum disease had already loosened. That is the disease showing itself, not the cleaning causing it.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Typically several months to a couple of years, depending almost entirely on what you consume. Tea, coffee, red wine, tobacco and paan re-stain enamel quickly. Whitening also does not change the colour of crowns, fillings or veneers, so those may need matching afterwards.

Why do my gums bleed during scaling?

Because they were already inflamed. Healthy gums do not bleed when cleaned. Bleeding during and shortly after a scaling is a sign of existing gum inflammation, and it usually stops within a week once the cause has been removed and brushing improves.

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