Scale And Polish In Turkey

Even regular brushing isn’t enough to completely stop the build-up of plaque and tartar. A dental visit at least once a year is recommended to get your teeth scaled and polished and remove disease-causing bacteria. Read this article to learn more about how scaling and polishing work, how you can get it done, and what the costs would be.

Scaling and Polishing Explained

Dental scaling and polishing is part of what is formally known as “scaling and root planing”. Scaling is a well-established dental procedure that has been around for a long time, and dentists use it to minimise the risk of gum disease. Polishing is done after the scaling and is largely a cosmetic procedure, though it can also aid in cleaning the roots of the teeth. Together, scaling and polishing are sometimes known as deep cleaning. There are several ways dental cleaning can be done, so it’s important to be clear about exactly what your dentist does. Scaling and polishing is mainly done to eliminate plaque and tartar (calculus) from your teeth — read below for more information.

What is Dental Scaling?

To understand the purpose of dental scaling, it’s important to know what dental plaque and tartar are. Even with regular brushing, mouth bacteria accumulate on our teeth. Oral bacteria thrive by eating food residue, and plaque is a thin, sticky film largely composed of this bacteria. We brush our teeth to get rid of it. While plaque forms naturally, it can release toxins — produced by bacteria during digestion — that damage our gums, which is why bad oral hygiene leads to gingivitis, or gum disease. Scaling aims to prevent this condition.

Plaque is only dangerous when it accumulates near the gum line, and it’s sometimes difficult for toothbrushes to remove plaque hiding near the gums. When plaque is left undisturbed for around 24 hours, it hardens and becomes calculus, or tartar — a substance that cannot be removed by regular brushing; only scaling can do that. Scaling is done using a special ultrasonic dental instrument that uses vibrations to remove plaque and tartar without damaging your teeth or gums. The vibrations are particularly helpful for dislodging hardened tartar. The instrument gently hums as it vibrates, which you may hear as a loud sound during the process. Scaling usually takes a few minutes, though it can take longer if you have more tartar in your mouth.

What is Dental Polishing?

Performed after scaling, dental polishing makes your tooth surfaces cleaner and stain-free. Polishing is done using another dental instrument that resembles a soft rubber cup, which spins quickly to polish your teeth. Dentists or hygienists use a prophylaxis paste during the process — a toothpaste-like mixture of cleaning and enamel-polishing material that normally contains around one percent fluoride, which helps kill bacteria and keep enamel healthy. The polishing instrument uses the paste as a cleanser to remove stains and plaque residue from your mouth, so afterwards your teeth look shinier and feel cleaner. Some dental clinics also use water or air to polish teeth, blowing air and water into the mouth under pressure to remove debris; the resulting solution tastes a bit salty, but your mouth is left clean.

Why Do You Need Scaling and Polishing Done?

Whether scaling and polishing is actually necessary is a question most patients ask. As the procedure targets plaque and tartar, if you have a build-up of these substances, you would benefit from scaling and polishing. If your dentist is preparing you for gum disease surgery, scaling and polishing may be in order beforehand — scaling to prepare the tooth roots is commonly done before oral surgery and gum contouring procedures. Your dentist may also recommend scaling and polishing if you are seen as at risk of gum disease. For example, if you have gums that recede and expose the tooth roots, then you would be at risk of gum disease, and a dentist would ask you to get your teeth scaled for good measure.

The Procedure at a Glance

The dental scaling and polishing procedure starts with a careful examination of your mouth, where the dentist assesses your teeth and gums to plan the scaling. In the past, dental scaling was a multi-week process, but these days it can be done in two or three visits. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the top of your teeth and sometimes from under the gum line as well — when it’s done under the gum line, it’s called root planing.

Scaling above the gum line is not painful and can be done quickly. However, if the scaling instrument goes under the gum line, it may feel slightly uncomfortable, and if your teeth are sensitive, the procedure might feel mildly painful — your dentist can give you a local anaesthetic in case you experience any pain. In some cases you may need to visit the dentist two to four times to complete the scaling process; this is the case if you have gum disease or are at risk of it. The length of the scaling depends on your dentist’s approach too — some plan the scaling in four quadrants of the mouth, while others segment the workload into two halves.

When the scaling is done, the dentist moves on to polishing, using the instrument with the soft rubber cup. The paste is applied to the rubber cup and moved over the scaled areas. Unlike scaling, polishing can be done in a single visit. When everything is done, your dentist examines your mouth once more and gives you instructions on how to care for your scaled and polished teeth — you’ll be advised against eating and drinking for up to an hour afterwards, and you may be asked to come in for a follow-up visit.

What to Do After Dental Scaling and Polishing

After your teeth are scaled and polished, your dentist will recommend that you brush and floss as usual — at least twice a day. It helps to follow a simple, consistent routine; our guide to the 2-2-2 rule is an easy way to remember it. Your dentist will also recommend maintaining a healthy diet for optimal dental care, and certain bad habits, like eating or drinking sugary things right before bed, will have to go too.

If your dentist determines you are at risk of gum disease, you may have to return for scheduled, periodic cleanings. Dental scaling is usually recommended every six months, but for those at risk of gum disease, dentists recommend cleaning every three or four months. There may also be a follow-up procedure to check on your health after scaling and polishing — if the under-the-gum pockets that were scaled don’t shrink, you’ll need to return to the dentist. Regular check-ups matter here; you can read about the benefits of regular dental check-ups for more. Remember, dental scaling and polishing is not a permanent fix — plaque will continue to accumulate near the gum line if you neglect proper dental care.

Risks of Dental Scaling and Polishing

Scaling and polishing is not intended to be a risky procedure. Scaling may feel mildly uncomfortable for some, and you may experience some pain afterwards — it’s also normal for your gums to feel a bit tender. The biggest risk of the procedure is elevated tooth sensitivity. In rare instances, gums may bleed following the procedure, in which case the dentist will recommend medication; gum bleeding should cease within an hour or so. Dental polishing doesn’t have major complications associated with it, although, as with scaling, your teeth might feel sensitive afterwards.

Immediately following dental scaling or polishing, it’s advisable to watch out for the following side effects:

• Pain that gradually gets worse
• Gums that keep bleeding, or remain tender and don’t heal
• Fever or fever-like symptoms

The above side effects should be reported to a dentist immediately, and it’s best to seek medical care right away for severe symptoms. It’s also possible for dental scaling to introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, so scaling is not performed if you are at risk of infection — conditions such as heart disease or liver disease, or a compromised immune system, may mean the procedure needs special precautions or is not suitable. Always share your full medical history with your dentist beforehand.

Costs of the Procedure

The cost of dental scaling and polishing can depend on the following factors:

• Your risk of gum disease
• The instruments used in the procedure
• Dental clinic fees
• Your geographical location
• The number of visits required to complete the scaling process
• Whether your dentist charges per tooth, per quadrant, or per segment of the mouth

At our clinic in Antalya, a scale and polish is £45 per jaw with cash payment (£50 by card), and a deep clean is £77 per jaw (£85 by card). Both prices are all-inclusive, with no hidden costs on arrival.

In the UK, the same routine scale and polish typically costs around £100 privately, and a deep clean around £250 — so UK patients save roughly 55–70%. The NHS covers a scale and polish under a Band 1 charge only when it is clinically necessary; polishing for cosmetic reasons is not funded, and private patients pay in full.

To reduce the cost of scaling and polishing, you can actively seek out clinics where the procedure costs less, which largely depends on location — clinics in upscale neighbourhoods charge a lot, and in countries like the U.S., where healthcare costs are normally high, dental procedures cost a lot too. You can consider a country like Turkey to enjoy lower dental care costs overall. Turkey’s dentists are trained to European standards and follow European good-practice guidelines, yet overall healthcare costs there are low, so you can get your scaling and polishing done for far less, even after travel costs are considered. You can check our dental treatment prices for details.

Protecting Yourself Against Gum Disease

Dental scaling and polishing is mainly done to reduce your risk of gum disease, which has two forms. The mild form is called gingivitis, which makes your gums swell and your teeth feel sensitive; gingivitis is a manageable condition. Over time, however, gingivitis can worsen into a serious form called periodontitis. Periodontitis is caused by bacteria in your plaque releasing toxins that reach the gums — the toxins penetrate the gum tissue that holds teeth in place and cause it to break down, which creates empty pockets.

To make matters worse, these pockets can fill with bacteria too, infecting the gums and causing inflammation. As it gets worse, periodontitis can affect bone tissue as well, resulting in tooth loss. Here are some of the well-known symptoms of periodontitis:

• Gums that are redder than usual, or even purple
• Swelling (puffiness) in the gums
• Tenderness in the gum tissue
• Bleeding gums
• Receding gums that expose the teeth
• New gaps appearing between teeth
• Signs of infection, such as pus
• Loose teeth
• Unusually bad breath
• Pain when chewing
• Changes in your bite

In its worst form, periodontitis becomes necrotising, meaning it causes the death of gum tissue. Dead gum tissue loosens the tooth ligaments and can cut off the supply to the bone underneath — a very serious condition that can even be life-threatening. Proper dental care can prevent the onset of gum disease and stop gingivitis from progressing into periodontitis, and scaling and polishing can be part of a routine that prevents plaque build-up. Scaling your teeth at least once a year may stall the onset of gum disease. You should visit your dentist to have your gums checked for plaque damage, and they will recommend whether scaling and polishing suits your condition — in most cases, it is. Don’t forget to eat well to protect your gums, too: make sure you have plenty of vitamin C in your diet, as a lack of it can put you at risk of gum disease.

Why Choose Smile Dental Turkey for Your Scale & Polish?

Carried Out by Qualified Dentists & Hygienists

Your scale and polish is performed by qualified, government-registered dentists and hygienists — and because a cleaning is often the first step before cosmetic or restorative work, we can assess your gum health at the same time and plan any further treatment properly. You can meet the full team of dentists in Turkey and read every credential in full.

Officially Accredited & Verified

• Turkish Dental Association (TDB) — Accredited Member: Our clinic and clinicians adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards nationally recognised in Turkey.
• Turkish Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — Member: Reflecting our specialist surgical team.
• AACI Accredited (American Accreditation Commission International): Independent international accreditation for dental organisations, verifiable on the official AACI registry.
• ISO 9001:2015 Certified by AACI: The internationally recognised standard for quality management in healthcare.
• Official Health Tourism Certificate (Turkish Ministry of Health): The government accreditation that makes treatment at our clinic officially recognised for international patients. Many clinics operating in Turkey do not hold this certificate.
• HealthTürkiye — Government-Listed Provider: We are officially listed on the Turkish Ministry of Health’s international health-tourism platform (operated by USHAŞ). You can verify our clinic directly on the government .gov.tr portal.

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Get Your Free Assessment

A healthy, clean foundation is the first step towards a great smile — and once your gums are healthy, you may want to explore dental implants or a full set of dental veneers. Start your free online dental consultation or estimate your treatment with our Turkey Teeth Cost Calculator — send us a few photos and our team will advise on the best next step, with no obligation.

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