When was the last time you had your teeth professionally cleaned?
Even if you brush your teeth every morning and evening, some dirt and hardened deposits can still build up in areas your toothbrush cannot reach. Over time, this can lead to yellowish deposits around the teeth, bad breath and gum problems.
Professional teeth cleaning helps remove this buildup, leaving your teeth cleaner and helping you maintain good oral health.
At Vivace Dermatology & Wellness Center, we offer professional teeth cleaning as part of our dental services at the Riverside branch in Nairobi.
This Black November, you can enjoy our special offer:
Professional Teeth Cleaning at KES 5,000 instead of KES 8,000.
In this guide, we’ll explain what professional teeth cleaning involves, why it matters, how it is done and how often you may need it.
Black November Professional Teeth Cleaning Offer at Vivace
Give your smile some attention this November with our special dental cleaning offer.
BLACK NOVEMBER SPECIAL OFFER
Regular price: KES 8,000
Now KES 5,000
Save KES 3,000!
Available exclusively at:
Vivace Riverside – The Cube, 1st Floor, Nairobi.
Offer valid until 30 November 2026.
A dental assessment may be required to check your teeth and gums before cleaning.
Contact our Riverside team to enquire about the offer and book your appointment.
Terms and conditions apply. Additional treatment, if required, may be charged separately.
What Is Professional Teeth Cleaning?
Professional teeth cleaning is a dental procedure that removes plaque, hardened dirt (commonly called tartar) and certain stains that build up on your teeth.
You may brush and floss regularly, but some deposits can still collect around the gumline, between teeth and in other difficult-to-reach areas.
During professional cleaning, a dental professional uses specialised instruments to remove these deposits. The teeth may then be polished to remove certain surface stains and leave them feeling smoother.
In dentistry, this procedure is commonly called scaling and polishing.
Simply put, it is a professional clean for your teeth that goes beyond what you can achieve with your toothbrush at home.
Why Do You Need Professional Teeth Cleaning?
Your toothbrush does an important job, but it cannot remove everything.
Here are some reasons to consider professional dental cleaning.
1. Remove Hardened Dirt from Your Teeth
Have you ever noticed a yellowish or brownish deposit around your teeth, especially near the gums?
This may be tartar. It forms when plaque is left on the teeth and hardens over time.
Once plaque becomes tartar, brushing alone cannot remove it. A dental professional needs to clean it away using specialised instruments.
2. Help Prevent Gum Problems
When plaque and tartar build up around the gums, they can cause irritation and inflammation.
You may notice:
- Gums that look red or swollen.
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing.
- Tenderness around the gums.
- Persistent bad breath.
Professional cleaning helps remove the deposits that contribute to plaque-related gum inflammation.
If gum disease has progressed, however, ordinary teeth cleaning may not be enough. Your dentist may recommend additional treatment.
3. Reduce Certain Types of Bad Breath
Bad breath can sometimes be linked to bacteria and deposits around the teeth and gums.
Removing plaque and tartar may help when these are contributing to the problem.
However, bad breath can also have other causes, including tooth decay, gum disease, dry mouth and certain medical conditions. Persistent bad breath should be assessed by a dental professional.
4. Remove Certain Surface Stains
Coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco can leave stains on your teeth over time.
Professional cleaning and polishing can remove some of these surface stains, helping your teeth look cleaner.
It is important to understand that this is not the same as teeth whitening. Cleaning removes deposits and certain stains, while whitening uses special products to lighten the natural colour of your teeth.
5. Keep Your Mouth Feeling Cleaner
After professional cleaning, many people notice that their teeth feel smoother and their mouth feels fresher.
It can also help you identify areas where you may need to improve your daily brushing and flossing routine.
What Causes Dirt and Tartar to Build Up on Teeth?
Even with regular brushing, plaque can accumulate on your teeth.
Some common contributing factors include:
- Food and drinks: Sugary foods and drinks encourage the growth of bacteria that contribute to plaque formation. Coffee and tea can also cause surface staining.
- Inadequate brushing: Missing certain areas when brushing allows plaque to remain on the teeth.
- Not cleaning between teeth: A toothbrush may not reach all the spaces between your teeth.
- Smoking and tobacco use: These can contribute to staining and increase the risk of gum problems.
- Time: Plaque that is not removed regularly can harden into tartar.
This is why professional cleaning is useful even for people who maintain a regular brushing routine.
What Happens During a Professional Teeth Cleaning Appointment?
If you have never had your teeth professionally cleaned, you may be wondering what the appointment involves.
The process is generally straightforward and usually includes the following steps.
1. Checking Your Teeth and Gums
The dental professional first examines your mouth to check for plaque, tartar, stains and signs of gum problems.
This helps determine the type of cleaning you need.
2. Removing Plaque and Hardened Deposits
The dentist or dental professional uses specialised instruments to remove plaque and hardened tartar from your teeth.
This includes deposits around the gumline and in areas that are difficult to clean at home.
3. Polishing Your Teeth
After the deposits have been removed, your teeth may be polished using a special dental tool and polishing paste.
This helps remove certain surface stains and leaves the teeth feeling smoother.
4. Getting Advice on Looking After Your Teeth
Your dental professional may also show you areas where plaque tends to accumulate and recommend ways to improve your brushing and flossing routine.
If any other dental problems are identified, you may be advised to arrange further treatment.
Does Professional Teeth Cleaning Hurt?
For most people, professional teeth cleaning is manageable.
However, the experience can vary depending on the amount of tartar buildup and the condition of your gums.
You may experience:
- Mild sensitivity during cleaning.
- Slight discomfort around the gums.
- Temporary gum tenderness.
- Some bleeding if your gums are already inflamed.
- Temporary sensitivity to cold drinks or air after cleaning.
If you have sensitive teeth or are worried about discomfort, let your dental professional know before the procedure.
Does Professional Teeth Cleaning Make Your Teeth Whiter?
This is one of the most common questions people ask.
Professional cleaning can make your teeth look cleaner and brighter by removing certain surface stains and tartar deposits.
However, it does not bleach your teeth or change their natural colour.
If you want to lighten the actual shade of your teeth, professional teeth whitening may be a more suitable option.
At Vivace, we also offer professional teeth whitening at our Riverside branch.
You can read our separate guide to Professional Teeth Whitening in Kenya to understand how it works and what to expect.
How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
There is no fixed schedule that works for everyone.
Some people may need professional cleaning more frequently than others, depending on how quickly tartar builds up and the condition of their gums.
Your dentist may recommend more frequent appointments if you:
- Build up tartar quickly.
- Have a history of gum problems.
- Find it difficult to clean certain areas properly.
- Have had treatment for gum disease.
- Have other dental conditions that require closer monitoring.
Your dentist can recommend a cleaning schedule based on your oral health.
How Do You Keep Your Teeth Clean Between Dental Visits?
Professional cleaning is helpful, but what you do at home matters just as much.
Here are some simple habits that can help:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush for about two minutes each time.
- Clean between your teeth daily using dental floss or suitable interdental brushes.
- Pay attention to the areas around your gums.
- Limit frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks.
- Drink water regularly.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco products.
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups.
These habits help reduce plaque buildup and support healthier teeth and gums.
Is Professional Teeth Cleaning the Same as Deep Cleaning?
Not always.
Routine professional teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and around the gumline.
However, if someone has more advanced gum disease, the dentist may recommend a different procedure called deep cleaning.
Deep cleaning involves removing deposits from below the gumline and cleaning the tooth roots. It is used to manage certain forms of gum disease and may require local anaesthesia.
Your dentist will examine your gums and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Teeth Cleaning
1. How much does professional teeth cleaning cost in Kenya?
The cost depends on the dental clinic and the type of cleaning required.
At Vivace Dermatology & Wellness Center, our Black November offer is:
KES 5,000 instead of KES 8,000.
Save KES 3,000. The offer is available at our Riverside branch until 30 November 2026.
2. How long does professional teeth cleaning take?
The appointment time depends on how much plaque and tartar has accumulated and the condition of your gums. Your dental team can advise you after examining your teeth.
3. Can professional teeth cleaning remove yellow stains?
It can remove certain surface stains and tartar deposits that make teeth look yellow. However, stains within the tooth structure may require a different treatment, such as professional whitening.
4. Will my teeth become sensitive after cleaning?
Some people experience temporary sensitivity after cleaning, particularly if they had significant tartar buildup or gum inflammation. Let your dentist know if sensitivity persists or concerns you.
5. Can I eat after professional teeth cleaning?
In most cases, you can eat after routine cleaning. If you experience sensitivity or receive additional treatment, follow the advice given by your dental professional.
6. Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum inflammation caused by plaque buildup. Other conditions can also cause bleeding, so it is important to have your gums checked by a dentist rather than ignoring the symptom.
7. Can I remove tartar at home?
No. Once plaque hardens into tartar, ordinary brushing and flossing cannot remove it effectively. A dental professional needs to remove it using appropriate instruments. Avoid trying to scrape tartar off your teeth yourself.
8. Is professional teeth cleaning necessary if I brush twice daily?
Yes, it may still be necessary. Brushing and flossing help control plaque, but hardened tartar can accumulate in areas that are difficult to clean. Your dentist can advise whether professional cleaning is needed.
9. Does teeth cleaning remove bad breath?
It may help if plaque and tartar buildup are contributing to bad breath. However, persistent bad breath can have other causes that require dental or medical assessment.
10. Where can I get professional teeth cleaning in Nairobi?
Vivace Dermatology & Wellness Center offers professional teeth cleaning at our Riverside branch, located at The Cube, 1st Floor, Nairobi.
Contact our dental team to enquire about the service and book an appointment.
Book Your Professional Teeth Cleaning at Vivace Riverside
Brushing your teeth every day is important, but some deposits need professional attention.
At Vivace Dermatology & Wellness Center, our dental team can examine your teeth, remove plaque and tartar buildup and guide you on how to maintain good oral hygiene.
This Black November, enjoy our special offer:
PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING
Regular price: KES 8,000
NOW KES 5,000
Save KES 3,000!
Available exclusively at Vivace Riverside – The Cube, 1st Floor, Nairobi.
Offer ends 30 November 2026.
Contact Vivace Dermatology & Wellness Center today to enquire about the offer and book your dental appointment.
The recommended cleaning procedure depends on your individual oral health. Additional treatment may be required following assessment. Terms and conditions apply.
