What teeth cleaning and scaling is, and who it suits
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. Brushing and cleaning between the teeth remove most of it. Plaque that is missed, especially along the gum line, can harden into tartar (also called calculus). Tartar is rough and porous, so more plaque sticks to it. Once it forms, a toothbrush or floss cannot remove it.
Professional cleaning removes these deposits with hand instruments or an ultrasonic scaler. The tooth surfaces are then polished. This is not mainly a cosmetic treatment. Tartar at the gum margin keeps the gums inflamed, and that inflammation is what the cleaning is meant to stop.
Routine scaling and polishing
This removes tartar above the gum line and just below it. It is usually what people mean by a check-up clean. It is aimed at healthy gums or early gum inflammation (gingivitis), which can usually be reversed with good cleaning and home care.
Deep scaling and root planing
If gum disease has progressed to periodontitis, the gum may pull away from the tooth and form pockets where tartar collects on the root. Deep cleaning removes deposits from inside these pockets and smooths the root surfaces. It is often done with local anaesthetic and spread over more than one session. Bone already lost to periodontitis does not grow back after cleaning. The aim is to stop further damage.
Fluoride application
A dentist may paint fluoride varnish or gel on the teeth to strengthen enamel. It is commonly advised for children, for people at higher risk of decay, and for people with exposed roots or a dry mouth. Fluoride toothpaste remains the everyday foundation of prevention.
Which of these you need can only be decided after an examination of your teeth and gums.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Book a dental check if you notice:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste that keeps coming back
- Yellow or brown hard deposits near the gums, often behind the lower front teeth
- Gums that seem to be shrinking, or teeth that look longer
- Teeth that feel loose, or a bite that has changed
- Pus around a tooth or the gum
Some people are more prone to gum problems. These include smokers, people with diabetes, pregnant women (gums often bleed more easily during pregnancy) and people wearing braces. Regular checks matter more for them.
When it is urgent: a painful gum swelling or suspected abscess needs a dentist promptly. Call 911 or go to an emergency department straight away if you have facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever with dental swelling.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
The platform's general service catalogue describes these usual stages:
- Gum examination and pocket probing. The dentist asks about your health and medicines. Mention blood thinners, diabetes, pregnancy, heart conditions and any allergies. A thin probe measures the depth of the gaps between gum and tooth. X-rays may be taken if needed.
- Removing tartar above the gum line with hand or ultrasonic instruments.
- Cleaning below the gum line when the examination shows it is needed.
- Polishing and fluoride application to smooth the surfaces and slow plaque build-up.
- Hygiene coaching and setting how often you return. You get advice on brushing, cleaning between teeth and your next visit.
As a general guide, routine scaling takes about 30–60 minutes. Deep cleaning is usually done over several sessions, with a gum reassessment some weeks later. These figures are general information, not the clinic's own.
There is no single correct interval between visits. NHS guidance says the gap between check-ups can range from 3 months to 2 years, depending on your oral health and risk. People with gum disease are usually seen more often.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Amman
This is what the clinic's record on ClinicsJo shows:
- Location: Tabarbour, Amman. The address is recorded as Journalists Roundabout, Al Tamimi Complex, first floor (دوار الصحفيين، مجمع التميمي ط1).
- Established: 2022. Both the clinic and the dentist are marked as verified by the platform.
- Services listed for this topic: teeth tartar removal, tartar and plaque removal, dental cleaning, deep scaling and root planing, dental fluoride application, and preventive dentistry. The clinic publishes 120 services in total.
- Approach: the clinic says treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs.
- Dentist: Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan, with 15 years of experience. He holds a bachelor's degree in oral and dental medicine and surgery (بكالوريوس طب وجراحة الفم والأسنان) from Damascus University (جامعة دمشق). His biography mentions practice in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. His record also lists courses in implantology, clear aligners and microscope-assisted endodontics, which relate to other services.
- Related services he provides: gum disease care, preventive dentistry, children's dentistry, and dental care for older patients and patients with special needs.
- Related conditions he treats: gum disease and bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity and tooth discoloration.
- Languages: Arabic and English.
- Reviews: the clinic has 2 approved reviews and the dentist has 3, all averaging 5. That is a small sample, so weigh it alongside your own consultation.
The record does not state which instruments or fluoride products are used. Ask about these at the visit.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Do my gums show gingivitis or periodontitis, and what were my pocket measurements?
- Do I need a routine clean or deep scaling and root planing? Why?
- How many sessions will it take, and will you use local anaesthetic?
- Do I need X-rays first?
- I take [medicines] or have [condition]. Does this change anything?
- Is fluoride application advised for me, and why?
- When should I come back, and when will my gums be reassessed?
- What should I change in my brushing and cleaning between teeth?
- What will the full plan cost? The cost depends on the examination and plan, so ask before starting.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
- Sensitivity: teeth may feel sensitive to cold for a few days, especially after deep cleaning. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth may help. Get a check if sensitivity persists.
- Gums: they may feel tender or bleed a little at first. Bleeding usually settles as inflammation goes down. Persistent bleeding is worth a recheck.
- Gaps: spaces between teeth can look bigger once tartar that filled them is removed and swollen gums shrink back. Cleaning does not create gaps. It reveals what tartar and swelling were hiding.
- Home care: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Spit after brushing rather than rinsing. Clean between your teeth daily, limit sugary snacks and drinks, and stop smoking if you smoke.
Cleaning does not give permanent results. Tartar returns if plaque control slips, and periodontitis needs ongoing maintenance. How well it works depends on your gums and your home care.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is at Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, Journalists Roundabout, Tabarbour, Amman, and sees patients from across Amman.
Confirmed opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday hours are not listed, so check before planning a Friday visit.
The record lists Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan's first consultation as free. Any further cost depends on the examination and plan; ask before starting. Use the contact button on this page to book. Mention whether you want a routine clean or have gum symptoms, so the right time can be set aside.