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What Actually Happens at a Cleaning
Scaling, polishing, and the diagnostic value most patients overlook.
4 min readMedically reviewed
A professional cleaning is more than a polish. It is the single most valuable diagnostic appointment most patients will attend in a given year.
The clinical sequence
- Periodontal probing to map gum health
- Ultrasonic and hand scaling to remove calculus above and below the gumline
- Selective polishing where indicated
- Fluoride or hydroxyapatite application in higher-risk cases
How often
Every six months for most adults; every three to four months for patients with active or historical periodontal disease.
Medically reviewed
Reviewed and edited by Dr. Marianna Zadov, DDS. Last updated August 2026.
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