A clean, healthy smile starts with more than just daily brushing. Professional scaling and polishing is a key part of maintaining long-term oral hygiene. This quick, preventive treatment helps remove stubborn plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing can’t reach, leaving your teeth feeling smooth, refreshed, and healthier overall.
At i.Dental, scaling and polishing services range from $65.40 to $163.50 at our dental clinics in Tanjong Pagar, Yishun, and Ubi.
Scaling and polishing are critical parts of dental cleaning that help maintain oral hygiene by removing stains, plaque, and tartar unreachable by regular brushing. During scaling, specialised dental instruments loosen and remove plaque and tartar. This is followed by polishing, where a spinning brush or rubber cup smooths the teeth’s surface, making it more difficult for plaque to adhere.
Regular sessions help detect and manage potential dental issues like gum disease or cavities early, preventing more serious problems.
The cost of scaling and polishing in Singapore can vary depending on the condition of your teeth and the amount of cleaning required. Teeth with heavier plaque and tartar buildup or staining may require more time to clean, which can influence the overall cost of treatment.
At i.Dental, scaling and polishing can be performed by both our dentists and oral hygienists.
During your appointment, we will assess the condition of your teeth and gums and advise you on the cleaning required.
In Singapore, you can receive subsidies for dental services such as scaling and polishing depending on your eligibility. These are the subsidies available and the claimable amount per year:
You may claim up to 2 consultations, 2 scaling and 2 polishing treatments per year.
*Consultation claims must be at least 6 months apart.
Scaling and polishing subsidies apply to CHAS Blue, CHAS Orange, MG, and PG cardholders at our Tanjong Pagar, Ubi and Yishun branches. The subsidy amount depends on your CHAS card type, the procedure being done, and the clinic’s charges. Our dental clinic will advise you on the applicable subsidy at the time of your visit. All fees are subject to GST.
The scaling and polishing procedure is generally similar for most patients. However, the amount of cleaning required may differ depending on your age, oral health and the condition of your teeth and gums.
Children may require different levels of cleaning depending on their oral health and the amount of plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth.
As part of elderly dental care, regular dental scaling and polishing appointments can help seniors maintain their teeth and gums as they age. Our dentist will first assess their oral health and any existing dental conditions or dental work before proceeding with the cleaning.
i.Dental has over 30 years of industry experience, committed to offering professional dental services to our clients.
We invest in medically proven technology to help you achieve the results you seek and provide a comfortable dental care experience.
We aim to make scaling and polishing as comfortable as possible by taking a gentle approach throughout the procedure, particularly for children, seniors and those with sensitive teeth or gums.
Scaling and polishing may be recommended if you have plaque or tartar buildup, surface stains or signs of gum inflammation. Your dentist can assess your teeth and gums during a dental check-up and advise how often you may need professional cleaning.
On average, scaling and polishing takes approximately 30 minutes. A slightly longer treatment time may be required if you have more stains or a buildup of tartar.
It is recommended to visit the dentist for scaling and polishing every 6 months. After the treatment, you will be advised on the date for the follow-up appointment, depending on your dental health.
Making routine visits to the dentist for scaling and polishing helps to prevent staining and a buildup of plaque and tartar. It can also prevent gum disease and cavities, both of which might require additional treatment.
Regular scaling and polishing typically involves minimal discomfort and is often painless for most individuals. However, pain can occur if there is stubborn or deep-set tartar, sore gums, or exposed sensitive areas on the teeth. Should the discomfort become unbearable, you can request a local anaesthetic to ease the sensation during the procedure.
For 24-48 hours, avoid very hot, cold or acidic foods and drinks until the sensitivity subsides. You may also want to avoid foods and drinks such as coffee and tea that may stain your teeth.
Yes, scaling and polishing may help with bad breath caused by plaque, tartar and bacteria buildup around the teeth and gums. If bad breath persists despite regular brushing and professional cleaning, a dental check-up can help identify other possible causes.
Yes, you can generally eat immediately after a routine scaling and polishing. However, if fluoride treatment was applied, it is best to wait around 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
No, scaling and polishing does not change the natural colour of your teeth. However, it removes some surface stains, which may make your teeth appear cleaner and brighter.
During the process of scaling and polishing, plaque and tartar are removed and your teeth are polished to look smoother and brighter. This helps to improve your overall oral health and hygiene, and the appearance of your teeth.
On the other hand, teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that involves bleaching (whitening) your teeth. It does not have any effect on oral hygiene.
Both dentists and oral hygienists are trained in providing scaling and polishing services. However, there are certain differences between them.
Dentists are recognised as professional doctors who are skilled in all areas of dentistry. They focus on diagnosing and laying out the treatment plan for patients. On the other hand, oral hygienists are licensed professionals who mainly provide preventive dental care and services related to oral hygiene.
If you are visiting i.Dental for the first time, your first appointment will be with a dentist. Subsequently, you may opt for an oral hygienist for future appointments.
To maintain your oral health and hygiene, it is important to adopt the following habits:
Scaling and polishing is a routine dental cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and around the gum line. Deep cleaning, also known as root planing, cleans below the gum line and around the tooth roots, and may be recommended for patients with gum disease.
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