Teeth cleaning is a fairly routine procedure that is rarely painful. Those who are afraid of the dentist or have severely sensitive teeth may experience more discomfort than the average patient. Additionally, people who haven't had their teeth cleaned for a long time may experience longer cleaning times and some extra pulling or scraping to remove plaque from the teeth. However, for most people, teeth cleaning is not only painful but also inconvenient.

Most dental cleanings take 30 minutes to an hour. If the cleaning is part of an annual checkup, the dentist may also take X-rays  by a dental X-ray machine to check for cavities. Dental hygienists usually do most of the cleaning. The dentist will usually perform a final exam and may perform some difficult plaque removal at the end of the cleaning and evaluate the gums for gum disease.

Dental hygienists typically use a variety of tools when cleaning teeth, including tooth polishers and dental unltrasonic scalers. An air polisher polishes your teeth and removes microscopic plaque. They usually have several heads of different sizes and are used for cleaning hard-to-reach places. A dental scaler looks a bit like a metal hook and is used to remove hard plaque, especially between the teeth. Some people find using a scaler uncomfortable, depending on their level of sensitivity, pain threshold, length of time since their last cleaning, and the extent of plaque buildup.

If a patient has a lot of plaque or doesn't brush and floss regularly, the dentist may lecture the patient during the cleaning process. If a person regularly cares for their teeth at home but plaque buildup remains severe, this may be a sign that more frequent cleanings are needed.

It's also important to note that, in general, people with infectious diseases, upper respiratory tract illnesses, compromised immune systems, sodium-restricted diets, allergies to polishing powder ingredients, and contact lenses are not candidates for air polishing.