Dental Cleaning
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The Key to a Healthier Smile
Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional Dental Cleaning, often referred to as a ‘scale and polish,’ is a vital part of your Preventive Dental Program. At Mentone Smiles, this essential treatment goes beyond what you can achieve at home, effectively removing the plaque and hardened tartar that contribute to gum disease and decay.
Regular dental cleaning plays a key role in maintaining healthy gums, preventing inflammation, and reducing the risk of periodontal issues. It also helps eliminate bad breath caused by bacterial build-up and keeps your teeth looking brighter and smoother. By polishing your teeth, we also help prevent future plaque accumulation, supporting long-term oral hygiene.
At Mentone Smiles, we’re committed to providing a thorough yet gentle cleaning experience. Our team prioritises your comfort throughout the procedure, ensuring you feel relaxed and informed at every step. Whether it’s your routine six-month visit or your first professional clean in years, we tailor the service to your needs, helping you maintain a fresh, healthy, and confident smile.
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Why Regular Cleaning is Essential
Even with diligent daily brushing and flossing, tiny areas in the mouth can harbour bacteria, leading to a build-up of plaque. When plaque hardens, it turns into calculus (tartar), which can only be removed by a professional scale.
Neglecting regular cleaning can lead to:
- Gum Disease: Tartar build-up irritates the gums, leading to gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums) and, potentially, the more serious periodontitis, which can cause bone loss and loose teeth.
- Tooth Decay: Bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode enamel, leading to cavities and the need for Tooth Fillings.
- Bad Breath: Bacteria trapped in tartar are a common cause of persistent halitosis.
What a Professional Dental Cleaning Involves
Our professional dental cleaning is a straightforward process performed by our experienced dental team:
Scaling
Using fine instruments, we carefully remove the hard calculus (tartar) from both above and below the gum line. This step is crucial for interrupting the progression of gum disease and ensuring smooth tooth surfaces.
Polishing
Once the tartar is removed, we polish your teeth using a special paste. This removes surface stains and microscopic roughness, leaving your teeth feeling incredibly smooth and shiny. This smoothness makes it more difficult for plaque to adhere to your enamel in the future.
Final Check
We’ll conclude with a final examination and discuss tailored advice, ensuring you have the best techniques and products for home care. This complements your Routine Examination for a complete health assessment.
Our Core General Dentistry Services
We offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition. Click on any service below to explore how we can help you and your family maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
Comprehensive annual check-ups to screen for early signs of decay, gum disease, and other issues, tailored to all ages.
Get personalised advice and techniques to perfect your daily brushing and flossing routines at home.
Custom-fitted appliances to protect your teeth from sports injuries or from the effects of grinding (bruxism).
Custom-made laboratory restorations for larger cavities that require superior strength and longevity.
Comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment plans to effectively manage and treat gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gentle and careful removal of damaged or problematic teeth when absolutely necessary for your overall oral health.
Ready for Your Freshest Smile?
Why Choose Mentone Smiles ?
Gentle and Thorough Technique
Our experienced dental team uses a gentle, meticulous technique to ensure maximum comfort while achieving a perfectly smooth and clean result.
Focus on Prevention
We don't just clean; we integrate the cleaning into your comprehensive Routine Examination/Check-Up, ensuring the care is strategic and supports your long-term health goals.
Experienced in Anxiety Care
We understand that some patients may feel anxious. Our team has a calm and happy demeanour that puts patients instantly at ease, making the visit a pleasant experience.
Affordable & Ethical Service
As a family-owned practice, we provide competitive pricing and ethical care, ensuring this vital preventive service is accessible to everyone in the Melbourne Bayside area.
Experienced Dental Team
More than 20 years of combined dental experience, with a strong commitment to continuing education and evidence-based care
FAQ's
How often should I have a professional dental cleaning?
For most healthy patients, we recommend a professional dental cleaning every six months. If you have a history of gum disease or other risk factors, your dentist may recommend coming in every three or four months.
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
A typical scale and polish should not be painful. You may feel slight pressure or a tickling sensation. If you have sensitive teeth or gum inflammation, we can discuss comfort measures beforehand to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.ols that reveal areas invisible to the naked eye, such as decay forming between teeth, infection at the root tip, or bone loss associated with gum disease. These issues often cause no pain until they are advanced, making X-rays crucial for truly preventative care.
Is a clean the same as a check-up?
No, they are two different, yet complementary, services. The [Routine Examination] is the diagnostic part where the dentist checks for health issues (like decay and cancer). The cleaning is the physical removal of tartar and plaque build-up. They are nearly always scheduled together for optimal preventive care.
Can I use whitening toothpaste instead of a professional cleaning?
Whitening toothpaste can help remove mild surface stains, but it cannot remove hard calculus (tartar) that builds up below the gum line. Only a professional dental cleaning can effectively remove tartar, which is essential for preventing gum disease.
I have bleeding gums when I brush. Should I still come in for a clean?
Yes, definitely. Bleeding gums are usually a sign of inflammation (gingivitis) caused by tartar build-up. A professional cleaning will remove the cause of the inflammation. The bleeding should subside quickly once the gums heal.
Is professional dental cleaning safe for sensitive teeth?
Yes. Dental cleaning is safe even if you have sensitive teeth. Our team uses gentle techniques and can adjust the procedure to keep you comfortable. In many cases, regular cleans can actually help reduce sensitivity over time.