Dental hygiene
Professional cleanings in Palafrugell with ultrasonic scaling, hand curettes and Airflow, plus periodontal maintenance visits.
Dental hygiene
However well you brush, there are places the brush cannot reach, and plaque there hardens into tartar. That deposit is what keeps the gum inflamed and makes it bleed when you clean your teeth. A professional cleaning removes it from above and below the gum margin, which is where it does the most harm.
In the surgery we combine ultrasonic scaling, which loosens the tartar with vibration and water, with hand curettes to go over the corners and the gum crevice. We finish with Airflow, a jet of very fine powder and water that lifts stains from tobacco, coffee, tea or wine without wearing down the enamel.
We also carry out the periodontal maintenance visits prescribed by our periodontist for patients who have had gum disease. And we use the appointment to go through your brushing technique with you, how to use floss and which size of interdental brush suits each gap.
What it includes: Dental hygiene
- Ultrasonic scaling. We loosen the tartar and plaque built up on the enamel and at the gum margin using vibration and water, without pressing on the tooth.
- Hand scaling with curettes. We go over by hand the places the ultrasonic tip cannot reach precisely enough: between the teeth, the root surfaces and the gum crevice.
- Airflow polishing. A jet of fine powder and water that removes tobacco, coffee, tea or wine stains and leaves the surface smooth, so plaque takes longer to return.
- Periodontal maintenance. Appointments scheduled by the periodontist for patients treated for periodontitis, checking pocket depths and bleeding.
- Tailored hygiene coaching. We show you where you are leaving plaque behind when brushing, how to use floss and which interdental brush size fits each gap.
- Gum assessment. We look for bleeding, swelling or recession, and if we find gum disease we assess it at a periodontics appointment.
How we do it
Every treatment begins with an examination and a detailed quote. This is how it usually works:
- 01
Assessing your mouth
Before starting we look at the state of your gums and the tartar present, and check whether there is sensitivity or a tooth that needs something else.
- 02
Plan and estimate
We tell you whether one appointment is enough or whether the case calls for gum treatment, and give you an estimate before anything is done.
- 03
The cleaning appointment
Thirty to forty-five minutes of ultrasonic scaling, hand curettes and Airflow. If your gums are very inflamed, the first part can feel more tender.
- 04
Follow-up
We set the next cleaning according to how your gums are: once a year for most people, every three to six months for periodontal maintenance.
Come with your teeth brushed, and do tell us if you take anticoagulants, if you have a heart valve or a joint replacement, if you are pregnant or if you have a pacemaker: in some cases the appointment or the use of the ultrasonic scaler has to be adapted. For the first few days the necks of your teeth may feel sensitive to cold; this usually settles within a week. To book, ring 972 30 65 64 or write to us through the contact form.
Accepted by most dental insurers. Give us a call and we'll tell you whether we work with yours.
Panoramic X-rays and dental CT scans are taken at Centre Mèdic Palafrugell, part of the same group, at Plaça de Catalunya, 5.
Frequently asked questions about Dental hygiene
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
It is usually uncomfortable rather than painful. If your gums are inflamed or there is a lot of tartar below the margin, it can feel more tender, and we can use a topical or local anaesthetic. Just tell us and we will take it slowly, area by area.
How long does it take and how often do I need one?
A routine cleaning takes thirty to forty-five minutes. Once a year suits most adults; if you smoke, build up tartar easily or have had periodontitis, every three to six months is the usual pattern. If it has been many years since your last one, we sometimes split it over two appointments.
Will a cleaning make my teeth whiter?
It will bring back the natural colour of your teeth, without the coffee, tea, wine or tobacco stains, and that alone often makes a visible difference. It is not whitening, though: if you want to change the shade of the enamel, that is assessed separately, under cosmetic dentistry.
Does my insurance cover the cleaning?
It depends on your policy. Many dental insurers include one cleaning a year or offer it at an agreed rate, but the terms vary a great deal between companies. Ask us with your insurance details and we will check before your appointment.
Call or write to us
The quickest way is the phone: we'll answer straight away and find you a time. If you'd rather write, send the contact form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.