How it's done
Your dental cleaning will typically last between 30 minutes and an hour. A trained hygienist will perform the cleaning, and a dentist may conduct an exam afterward. Most people find dental cleanings to be painless and comfortable.
There are two important steps to a dental cleaning. The first step involves scaling the teeth, where the hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces. This can be done manually or with electric scalers, depending on the hygienist's preference. The hygienist may also clean the pockets of the gums to eliminate any plaque buildup.
The second step is polishing, which removes any remaining plaque and gives the teeth a smooth finish. Polishers typically have different-sized heads to clean hard-to-reach areas.