Teeth polishing: procedure, benefits, price, and recommended frequency

Tooth polishing is a treatment that the dentist or hygienist does right after scaling. The tooth surface is smoothed to remove small stains and residual deposits. The aim is to improve the look of your smile, while also supporting better oral hygiene.

It's often confused with scaling, but it's a completely separate procedure. Many patients wonder what it's really for, how much it costs, how often to do it, or whether it hurts. Here's everything you need to know before booking an appointment.

It's a preventive treatment aimed at making your teeth smoother after the tartar has been removed. By smoothing out the tiny rough spots on the enamel, polishing limits plaque build-up and helps keep teeth and gums healthy.

This treatment is usually done at the end of a scaling session. As a bonus, it can also lighten staining left by coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco.

Even though they're often mentioned together, scaling and polishing don't serve the same purpose at all.

It never replaces scaling, it's simply the logical complement that makes the treatment even more effective.

It's not just a cosmetic treatment. Combined with scaling, it helps avoid many oral health problems and keeps your teeth clean for longer.

Over time, certain habits leave marks on the teeth. Think especially of coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco. The dentist then uses a specific abrasive paste or an air-polisher to remove some of this staining. Your teeth end up looking cleaner and shinier.

Watch out though, this isn't a whitening treatment. Polishing tackles surface staining, while whitening works deeper on the tooth's natural colour using special products.

After scaling, teeth are sometimes left with tiny rough spots. And that's the perfect place for plaque to build up. By smoothing the enamel, polishing makes teeth cleaner and easier to keep clean when brushing. In concrete terms, this treatment helps you to:

• Build up less plaque,

• Reduce the risk of cavities,

• Keep your gums healthy,

• Complement your dentist's preventive care,

• Improve your oral hygiene over the long run.

This treatment is therefore part of a preventive routine. With good brushing and regular dentist visits, it helps you keep healthy teeth for a long time.

It's generally quick and is done right after the scaling. No special preparation is needed.

The most common method involves applying a slightly abrasive paste with a small rotating cup attached to a dental instrument. The goal is to remove staining while smoothing the enamel.

The other technique that may be used is the air-polisher. This device sprays a mix of air, water and very fine powder onto the teeth. It's especially effective for hard-to-reach areas.

The choice of method mainly depends on:

• How significant the staining is,

• The amount of plaque,

• How sensitive your teeth are,

• What your dentist recommends.

Tooth polishing isn't a lengthy procedure.

When it's done right after scaling, it takes between 5 and 15 minutes. The exact duration depends on how many teeth need treating and how much staining needs to be removed.

And once the treatment is over, you can go about your day as usual, with no particular restrictions.

In the vast majority of cases, this procedure is painless. This gentle treatment only acts on the surface of the teeth, without anaesthesia or any invasive procedure.

On the other hand, some people may feel a bit of sensitivity at the time, especially if they have:

• Gums that are receding and/or irritated before the treatment,

• Teeth that are naturally sensitive,

• Somewhat fragile enamel.

This sensation usually disappears very quickly after the appointment. If you have sensitive teeth, tell your dentist, they can adapt their technique to make it as comfortable as possible.

By the way, a lot of people find polishing more pleasant than scaling. After the treatment, they often feel like their teeth are smoother and cleaner.

For most adults, a polish once or twice a year, at the same time as scaling, is more than enough. But the ideal frequency depends on you and your habits:

• Your daily oral hygiene routine,

• Your consumption of coffee, tea or red wine,

• Whether you smoke or used to smoke,

• Your tendency to develop gum disease,

• How quickly tartar builds up for you.

Polishing too often generally isn't necessary. The idea is to adapt the frequency to your situation, with your dentist's advice.

Generally, this treatment is carried out right after scaling, and its price is often included in the overall procedure.

As a rough guide, the prices generally observed are:

• Between €28 and €50 if combined with a covered scaling,

• Between €20 and €40 if billed on its own,

• More expensive in some practices that use special techniques like air-polishing.

These prices can vary depending on the region, the practitioner and the method used.

As for reimbursement, if it's part of a scaling covered by health insurance, it's usually reimbursed the same way. On the other hand, a purely cosmetic polish done on its own probably won't be reimbursed.

To find out exactly what it will cost in your situation, it's best to ask for a quote or check the prices displayed at your practice.

There are kits sold online that promise to replicate a professional polish at home. But be careful, you need to be very cautious.

The instruments dentists use are specifically designed not to damage the enamel or the gum tissue. If you use abrasive products or rotating attachments at home, you risk:

• Wear down your enamel prematurely,

• Have more sensitive teeth,

• Irritate your gum tissue,

• Get a disappointing cosmetic result.

To keep a bright smile between two appointments, your best bet is still thorough brushing with an electric toothbrush, dental floss or interdental brushes. That will limit staining and protect your teeth.

Professional polishing can't be safely and effectively replicated at home. If you have persistent staining or questions about the look of your teeth, a professional is still the best person to consult.