In short: A professional cleaning removes hard and soft deposits from the places a toothbrush and floss cannot reach — between the teeth, just below the gumline and at crown margins. Twice a year is a sensible baseline for most adults; more often with periodontitis, implants, smoking or diabetes. German statutory insurance does not usually cover it, though many funds contribute through bonus schemes.
The most common question about professional cleaning is also the most reasonable one: if I brush thoroughly twice a day, why do I need this?
Why brushing alone is not enough
Even with very good technique, some areas stay out of reach: the full depth of the interdental spaces, the zone just below the gumline, the grooves of old fillings and crown margins, and the inner surfaces of the front teeth. Soft deposits harden there into tartar within days, and new bacteria settle faster on that rough surface. From that point on, no brush will remove it.
What is actually done
- Assessment of gums, interdental spaces and any existing dental work
- Removal of hard deposits with ultrasound or hand instruments, above and just below the gumline
- Cleaning of the interdental spaces — the part most often missed at home
- Polishing all surfaces so new deposits adhere less easily
- Fluoride application to protect the enamel
- Specific advice on your own technique: which areas are a problem for you, and what will actually reach them
That last point changes the most in the long run — and it is the part that disappears when a cleaning is treated as a quick polish.
The right interval
Twice a year is a sensible starting point for healthy adults. Shorter intervals are indicated with treated periodontitis, with implants, with fixed braces and retainers, with smoking, with diabetes, during pregnancy and with a tendency to heavy tartar. If you stay stable and inflammation-free over years, the interval can also be extended. We set it by findings, not by a fixed rule.
Cost and reimbursement in Germany
For patients with statutory insurance the cleaning is normally a self-pay service. Many funds contribute through bonus programmes, and some supplementary dental policies reimburse it fully or in part — it is worth checking your policy. Follow-up care after treated periodontitis follows a separate system that the statutory fund does cover.
What a cleaning is not: a whitening. It removes stains from coffee, tea and nicotine, which makes teeth look brighter. It does not change the natural colour of the tooth.
Frequently asked questions
Does a professional cleaning hurt?
Usually not. With inflamed gums or exposed tooth necks it can be uncomfortable — say so beforehand and we work more gently or use local anaesthetic.
How long does an appointment take?
Around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount of deposit and the number of teeth. The first appointment is usually longer.
Does it damage the enamel?
No, not when carried out properly. The polishing is matched to the deposits being removed, and the fluoride applied at the end hardens the surface.
Can I eat and drink coffee straight afterwards?
Wait about an hour after the fluoride application. In the first hours after polishing teeth take up pigments more easily, so coffee, red wine and tea are better left for later.
This article provides general information and does not replace a dental examination. Medically reviewed by Dr. F. J. Rodríguez Ruíz, MSc., dentist at A+ Dental, Düsseldorf-Oberkassel.