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Teeth Cleaning
Scaling and polishing, plus a look at your gums. If the cleaning shows deeper gum trouble, we say so and refer you to our gum specialist.
A dental cleaning removes the soft plaque and the hardened tartar that build up on teeth and along the gumline. Tartar cannot be brushed off at home. Left alone, it irritates the gums, causes bleeding and bad breath, and can lead to gum disease.
At our Malad West clinic a cleaning is done in the same visit as a gum check. Our dentists do routine scaling and polishing. If your gums show signs of deeper disease, Dr. Aanchal Sahni, our periodontist, assesses them and plans the next step.
We tell you what we see and how often you need to come. For some mouths a yearly visit is enough. For others, every six months suits better.
When teeth cleaning can help
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Yellow or brown hard deposits near the gumline, especially behind the lower front teeth
- Breath that stays unpleasant after brushing
- Teeth that look dull or stained from tea, coffee, paan or smoking
- A gap of a year or more since your last dental check
- Before braces, whitening or any cosmetic work, which all need a clean start
Your options
Routine scaling and polishing
Scaling removes tartar from above and just below the gumline, and polishing smooths the surface so plaque sticks less. It suits people with healthy or mildly inflamed gums.
Deeper gum cleaning
When tartar has spread below the gum and the gums have pulled away from the teeth, a standard cleaning is not enough. This is treated in sections, often with laser support, and is covered on our laser gum treatment page.
What happens, step by step
- 1
Check of teeth and gums
We look at the teeth and gently measure the gum depth around them. Bleeding and pocket depth tell us whether this is a routine cleaning or something more. An X-ray is taken only if it is needed.
- 2
Scaling
Scaling is usually done with an ultrasonic scaler, which loosens tartar with vibration and a water spray, and with hand instruments for the areas it misses. You may hear a hum and feel vibration and cool water. Sensitive teeth may twinge, and a numbing gel can be used if needed.
An ultrasonic scaler handpiece with a thin curved tip, the tool that loosens tartar with vibration and a water spray. Photo: Milenafoto, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0), resized - 3
Polishing and review
Polishing paste removes surface stain and leaves the teeth smooth. We then show you the areas you are missing with your brush and floss, and agree when to see you next.
After treatment
- Gums may be a little tender and bleed slightly on the first day or two. This settles as they heal.
- Teeth can feel sensitive to cold for a few days, because tartar that was covering the root is gone.
- Keep brushing twice a day with a soft brush and clean between the teeth daily.
- Wait a couple of hours before eating or drinking anything strongly coloured.
- If bleeding continues past a week even with good brushing, tell us.
When we suggest something else
A cleaning treats surface build-up. If your gums are receding, loose teeth are appearing, or pockets are deep, cleaning alone will not solve the problem and repeating it more often only delays proper treatment. In that case we refer you to our gum specialist for a gum assessment.
If your main concern is the colour of your teeth, cleaning will remove surface stain but will not change the natural shade. Whitening is a separate treatment, and we usually clean first so that it works evenly.
Cost
Typical cost across Mumbai
- Scaling and polishing, per session
- ₹1,500 to ₹3,000
Heavy tartar build-up or a deep clean costs more than a routine scale and polish.
Ranges published by Mumbai clinics and price guides, checked October 2026: WhatClinic, Sabka Dentist. These are not our prices.
What changes the cost
- How much tartar and stain has built up
- Whether the gums are healthy or inflamed
- Whether an X-ray is needed to see below the gumline
- Whether the cleaning is completed in one visit or split in two
- Whether deeper gum treatment turns out to be necessary
Visit us for a detailed quote. We examine your teeth and give you a written estimate before any treatment starts.
Who treats you
- Dr. Kanchan Koli, General Dentistry Specialist (BDS)
- Dr. Aanchal Sahni, Periodontology & Oral Implantology (MDS (PGI Rohtak), BDS (ESIC New Delhi))
Questions patients ask
Does teeth cleaning damage the enamel or make gaps?
No. Scaling removes tartar, not enamel. Teeth can look more spaced after a cleaning because swollen gum and hard deposits that were filling the gaps are gone. The gaps were already there.
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Every six months is the usual advice. If your gums are healthy and you keep plaque down, once a year may be enough. If you have gum disease, braces or form tartar quickly, we may suggest more often.
Why do my gums bleed during cleaning?
Bleeding usually means the gums are inflamed from plaque. It is a sign of gum irritation, not of damage from the cleaning. With regular brushing and flossing it reduces within a week or two.
Will cleaning make my teeth sensitive?
Some people notice sensitivity to cold for a few days, particularly where a lot of tartar was removed. It usually fades. A sensitivity toothpaste helps in the meantime.
Is it safe to get my teeth cleaned if my gums are swollen?
Yes, in most cases, and cleaning is often what brings the swelling down. We may do it gently in two visits if the gums are very tender.
Does cleaning whiten teeth?
It removes surface stain, so teeth often look brighter. It does not change the underlying shade of the tooth, which needs whitening.
Typical Duration
Usually about 30 to 45 minutes
Visit Us in Malad West
A-102, Marve Link Appt., 1st Floor, Marve Road, Mith Chowky, Malad (W), Mumbai 400064
- Monday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed