What teeth cleaning and scaling are, and who they suit
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. Brushing and flossing remove most of it. Plaque that stays on the teeth slowly hardens into tartar (also called calculus). Once it has hardened, a toothbrush cannot remove it. Tartar is rough and porous, so more plaque sticks to it, usually right at the gum line. There it keeps the gums inflamed.
Scaling removes tartar from the tooth surfaces and from just below the gum line. The dentist uses hand instruments, an ultrasonic scaler, or both. The teeth are then polished so their surfaces are smoother and plaque builds up more slowly. There are two broad levels of cleaning:
- Routine scale and polish. This is for gums that are healthy or only mildly inflamed (gingivitis). It is usually done in a single visit.
- Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing). This is for gum disease that has formed pockets between the gum and the tooth. The dentist cleans the root surfaces below the gum line. It is often spread over several sessions, and the area may be numbed.
Fluoride application is a varnish or gel painted onto the teeth. It helps strengthen enamel against decay. It is often offered to people with a higher risk of cavities.
Scaling is not a cosmetic treatment. Untreated gum inflammation can progress to periodontitis, which destroys the bone that supports the teeth. Cleaning can stop the disease from getting worse, but bone that has already been lost does not grow back. Many people believe scaling "widens the gaps" between teeth. In fact, the spaces were already there, filled with tartar or swollen gum. When the tartar is removed and the swelling settles, those spaces become visible.
Most adults benefit from regular check-ups. Only an examination can show whether you need a routine clean, a deep clean or other treatment.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Book a check-up if you notice any of these:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, puffy or tender gums
- Bad breath that does not go away
- Yellow or brown hard deposits along the gum line, often behind the lower front teeth
- Gums that seem to be pulling back from the teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or have started to shift
- Sensitivity near the gum line
Some signs need urgent care:
- Facial swelling that is spreading
- Swelling that reaches the eye or neck
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- A high fever with dental pain
If you have any of these, call 911 or go to an emergency department straight away. Do not wait for a routine appointment. Severe toothache or a suspected abscess without these signs should still be seen by a dentist promptly.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
The platform's general service catalogue describes a typical sequence. The details depend on what the dentist finds.
- Gum examination and pocket probing. The dentist checks the gums and gently measures the depth of the space around each tooth. X-rays may be taken if needed.
- Removing tartar above the gum line. The visible deposits are cleaned off, often with an ultrasonic scaler that uses vibration and a water spray.
- Cleaning below the gum line, when needed. If pockets are present, the root surfaces are cleaned. This is the deep-cleaning part of the treatment.
- Polishing and fluoride. The surfaces are smoothed, and fluoride may be applied.
- Hygiene advice and the next visit. The dentist shows you which areas you are missing at home and decides when you should come back.
As general information, a routine scale usually takes about 30–60 minutes. Deep cleaning is spread over several sessions. There is no single rule for how often to return. Mainstream guidance, such as the NHS, bases the interval on each person's gum health and decay risk. For some people that means every few months, and for others much less often.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Tabarbour
Services and team
- The clinic's record lists these services for this page:
- Teeth tartar removal
- Tartar and plaque removal
- Dental cleaning
- Deep scaling and root planing
- Dental fluoride application
- Preventive dentistry
- In total, the record lists 120 published services. Its main services include implants, braces, veneers, whitening and root canal treatment.
- The clinic describes itself as providing preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care. It says treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs.
- The clinic was established in 2022 and is verified by the platform.
- Its description names Dr Mohammad Arafat Hasan and Dr Alaa Fayez Hasan as part of the team.
About Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan
- He has 15 years of recorded experience.
- He graduated in oral and dental medicine and surgery from Damascus University. His biography gives the year as 2010.
- He has practised dentistry in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- His listed training includes:
- An Advanced Implantology Course with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (2018)
- A clear aligners (Invisalign) certification from Align Technology Academy (2020)
- Microscope-assisted endodontics with the Jordanian Academy of Dentistry (2022)
- The services he provides include gum disease care, preventive dentistry, children's dentistry and care for older patients.
- The conditions he treats include gum disease and bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity and yellowing of the teeth.
- He speaks Arabic and English.
Reviews and cost
- The clinic has 2 approved reviews on the platform, and the dentist has 3. Both average 5. That is a small number of reviews, so treat it as one input among several.
- The record lists the first consultation as free. The cost of any cleaning depends on the examination and plan, so ask before starting.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Do I need a routine scale and polish, or do my gums show pockets that need deep cleaning?
- Will you measure and record my pocket depths so we can compare them at later visits?
- Will you use hand instruments, an ultrasonic scaler, or both?
- Will the area be numbed if deep cleaning is needed?
- How many sessions do you expect?
- Do I need X-rays first?
- Would fluoride help in my case?
- How often should I come back, and why that interval?
- What should I change in my brushing or flossing routine?
- What will the treatment cost, and is everything included in that figure?
Also tell the dentist about any medical conditions you have, such as diabetes or a heart condition. Mention blood thinners or other medicines, and tell them if you are pregnant.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
- Normal after cleaning: your teeth may feel sensitive to cold for a few days, and your gums may be a little sore. After deep cleaning these effects can be more noticeable.
- Bleeding: some bleeding on brushing can continue briefly while the gums heal. Bleeding that persists should be checked.
- Gaps: your teeth may feel smoother, and you may notice spaces that the tartar used to hide.
- Home care: keep brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes. Follow any advice the dentist gives about eating or drinking straight after fluoride.
- Long term: tartar will form again over time. How quickly depends on your home care, saliva, smoking and general health.
- Deep cleaning: a review visit is usually needed to check how the gums have responded. Results vary from person to person.
Seek care quickly if swelling, fever or worsening pain develops after treatment. Call 911 for the urgent signs listed above.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
The clinic is recorded at Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين), Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, in Tabarbour, Amman. If you are arranging teeth cleaning in Tabarbour, check the visit length when you book, as deep cleaning may need several appointments.
Confirmed opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed among the confirmed hours. Use the contact button on this page to book or ask questions.