Your dentist or hygienist will use a 'scale and polish' when your teeth require a thorough clean to remove all traces of plaque and tartar. The purpose of polishing tooth surfaces is to make these surfaces smooth which make it more difficult for plaque and debris to accumulate on your teeth to cause decay or gum disease.

Deep cleansing of the teeth removes plaque, tartar, bacteria and tooth root surface which has been contaminated by the persistent accumulation of bacteria. For regular cleaning, scaling is performed on the part of the tooth that is exposed above the gum line. After which, tooth polishing is commonly performed to create a smooth and glossy surface on the tooth.