Care for your oral health
Professional teeth cleaning
Explore professional cleaning and preventive care, with practical advice for maintaining your teeth and gums between appointments.
More than removing visible stains
Plaque can harden into tartar. Its rough surface makes further accumulation easier, especially near the gum line. Professional instruments are used to remove these deposits in a controlled way; polishing may be appropriate for some remaining surface stains.
The assessment looks beyond the visible build-up. Bleeding, gum recession, pocket depths and tooth mobility can indicate that additional care is needed. A routine clean is not a substitute for a periodontal assessment when there are signs of more advanced disease.
Cleaning is not tooth whitening
Removing tea, coffee or tobacco-related surface staining can make teeth look cleaner, but it does not chemically lighten their natural shade. Professional teeth whitening is a separate treatment with its own suitability assessment.
If your main concern is bleeding, bad breath or tartar, the first priority is understanding and treating the cause. Cosmetic colour changes can be discussed after the condition of the teeth and gums is clear.
What happens at the appointment?
The dentist checks the teeth, gums and areas where deposits collect. Cleaning is adapted to the amount of build-up and your sensitivity. Relevant areas may be polished, and you are shown suitable ways to brush and clean between teeth.
Implants, bridges and orthodontic appliances may need different cleaning tools or techniques. Ask for a demonstration rather than trying to force floss or an interdental brush into a space that does not fit it.
When deeper gum treatment may be needed
Deposits below the gum line, deep pockets or bone loss may require root-surface cleaning and a more structured treatment plan. Local anaesthetic and several visits may be considered, followed by reassessment.
Read our gum disease treatment overview if you have persistent bleeding, recession or loose teeth. A cleaning appointment alone should not be assumed to resolve every periodontal problem.
Sensitivity and care afterwards
Temporary tenderness, cold sensitivity or minor bleeding may occur, particularly with heavy deposits or recession. Continue the advised gentle brushing and interdental cleaning rather than abandoning daily care. Contact the clinic if pain or bleeding is persistent, worsening or unexpected.
Professional cleaning supports home care; it cannot replace it. The NHS guide to keeping teeth clean explains the role of regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth.
How often should cleaning be repeated?
There is no single interval that suits everyone. Previous gum disease, smoking, health conditions such as diabetes, deposit formation, implants and daily cleaning all influence the review schedule.
If you are visiting Istanbul, discuss the condition of your gums before combining cleaning with other treatment. Agree how continuing maintenance will be arranged at home; a one-off appointment does not replace long-term dental care.
Talk to our team
Tell us what you would like to discuss. Any preliminary guidance is subject to an individual clinical assessment.
Contact us on WhatsAppCall +90 530 454 53 98General information only. Treatment suitability, timing and outcomes vary. This content does not replace advice from your treating dentist.
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