Professional dental cleaning at Viva Smile goes beyond what a toothbrush and floss can achieve at home. Using ultrasonic scaling and hand instrumentation, the hygiene team removes calculus (hardened tartar) from above and below the gumline — deposits that accumulate over time regardless of brushing frequency and that, if left untreated, drive gum disease and bone loss. Each cleaning appointment includes a periodontal health assessment, personalised oral hygiene instruction, and a polishing stage that removes surface staining. For patients with a history of gum disease or deeper pockets, enhanced cleaning protocols — including laser-assisted debridement — are available.
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For most adults with healthy gums, a professional cleaning every six months is sufficient to prevent calculus build-up and maintain periodontal health. Patients with a history of gum disease, deeper periodontal pockets, or systemic conditions such as diabetes may benefit from more frequent appointments — typically every three to four months. Your Viva Smile hygienist will recommend a recall interval based on your individual periodontal assessment.
Some sensitivity during cleaning is normal, particularly around the gumline and in areas with existing recession or exposed root surfaces. The Viva Smile hygiene team uses a combination of ultrasonic and hand instruments, adjusting technique based on your comfort level throughout the appointment. Topical desensitising agents can be applied before treatment for patients with significant sensitivity.
A standard scale and polish removes calculus and staining from above the gumline and just below it — appropriate for patients with healthy or mildly inflamed gums. A deep clean (root surface debridement or root planing) targets calculus and bacterial toxins from deeper periodontal pockets, typically 4mm or greater, and is used to treat active gum disease. At Viva Smile, your hygienist will assess your pocket depths at each visit and recommend the appropriate level of treatment.