A professional teeth cleaning happens in a doctor’s office. When a dentist or dental hygienist cleans your teeth they remove soft and hard deposits from your teeth that cause cavities. The main reason of having your teeth cleaned is to prevent or delay the progression of gum diseases. Getting your teeth cleaned is not the only way to prevent gum diseases -- smoking has been implicated in approximately 50% of periodontal disease cases in adults.

A prophylaxis is a scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove normal plaque, calculus and stains. While the main objective of the prophylaxis is to help prevent gum disease, it can also improve the appearance of your teeth by making them look clean and bright. Scaling is performed using instruments to remove calculus from the teeth. Polishing with a special paste by means of a motorized instrument removes remaining plaque and surface stains caused by various foods, beverages and tobacco. Polished tooth surfaces make it more difficult for plaque and debris to accumulate.

The frequency of professional teeth cleaning depends on the health of your teeth and gums, for example healthy children and adults should have their teeth cleaned at least once every year or two. If you’re a smoker or have a tendency to get gum infections you should visit your dentist more often. It’s a good idea to actually ask your dentist how often you should visit their office.