Differences between dental cleanings and whitening

Cleaning is preventive care

Even if you brush your teeth thoroughly every day, it is impossible to remove all plaque.
Scaling is used to remove the plaque that cannot be completely removed and the tartar that has formed as a result of the plaque hardening, using a scaler and other equipment specially designed for use in dental clinics.

Plaque and tartar are home to bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, and can also cause bad breath, so regular brushing is a good preventive measure.
This is called ‘plaque control’.

Teeth are also cleaned and polished, which removes stains and makes the surface of the teeth smooth and less prone to plaque build-up.
So cleaning is an important part of preventive care.

Benefits of cleaning

Teeth cleaning removes plaque, stains and tartar that cannot be removed by daily brushing.
The big benefit is that it makes it easier to keep your mouth healthy by removing the pesky tartar that causes gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath.

Whitening removes even internal stains.

Whitening whitens teeth by bleaching them with a chemical agent, rather than polishing or scraping stains off the surface of the teeth as in a toothbrush.
The agent contains ‘hydrogen peroxide’, which is also found in bleaching agents used to bleach clothes.
It does not whiten teeth, but bleaches them to restore their natural whiteness, resulting in a natural, beautiful white finish.

Whitening can not only remove stains on the surface of the teeth, but also stains that have penetrated the inner surface of the teeth.
Therefore, it can even remove stains that have penetrated the enamel, such as age-related yellowing and cigarette smoke, which cannot be removed by brushing.

Combined use for a healthier mouth

Cleaning and whitening have different mechanisms and purposes.
Scaling is a preventative measure, while whitening is part of an aesthetic treatment.

However, by cleaning to remove stains from your teeth and gums and then whitening to remove stains from the inside to make your teeth whiter, you can reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, leave your mouth cleaner and have a healthier looking mouth.

What is the difference between scaling and whitening?

While ‘whitening’ specialises in whitening teeth to improve their appearance, ‘cleaning’ removes tartar and pigment to improve the oral environment and support health and beauty.

Get healthier, whiter teeth!

Teeth cleaning is a very important preventative measure and should be done regularly by everyone.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment and white teeth are an important part of a clean appearance for others.
Nowadays, more and more people are doing both due to the increasing awareness of oral health.
If you are interested in having your teeth whitened, please contact our clinic.