Full Mouth Scaling & Polishing. Dental cleanings involve removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria film) and tartar (calculus) deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Usually, it is tooth colored and can easily be mistaken as part of the teeth, but it also can vary from brown to black in color.

Commonly used first is an ultrasonic instrument which uses tickling vibrations to knock larger pieces of tartar loose. It also sprays a cooling mist of water while it works to wash away debris and keep the area at a proper temperature. The device typically emits a humming or high-pitched whistling sound. This may seem louder than it actually is because the sound may get amplified inside your head, just like when you put an electric toothbrush into your mouth.