Dental Cleaning and Gum Treatment in China

Three different things people call "a clean"

This is where most confusion starts, and where upselling happens:

Scale and polish — removal of hard deposits (calculus) and surface stains above the gum line, with polishing. Preventive.
Deep cleaning — scaling and root planing below the gum line under local anaesthetic, for established gum pockets. This is periodontal treatment, not cosmetics.
Gum surgery — for advanced disease where cleaning alone will not close pockets. A different procedure again.

Options and list prices

Treatment	What it is for	Session	List price
Ultrasonic teeth cleaning	Routine removal of calculus and staining	About 30 min	CNY 198approx. USD 30
Deep cleaning (scaling & root planing)	Established gum pockets	Usually split into quadrants	Quote after assessment
Gum scaling and root planing	Periodontal maintenance	Per session	Quote after assessment

Signs you may need more than a routine clean

Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
Persistent bad breath not explained by diet
Gums that have visibly receded or teeth that look longer
Loose teeth or a change in how your bite feels
Spaces appearing between teeth that were not there before

These suggest periodontitis rather than simple calculus, and periodontitis is managed, not cured by a single appointment. A pocket-depth measurement is what distinguishes the two, which is why an examination comes before treatment.

What happens during a routine clean

1

Examination

Gum condition is checked and pocket depths measured where indicated.

2

Ultrasonic scaling

Calculus is broken down with an ultrasonic tip and washed away.

3

Hand instruments

Remaining deposits below the gum edge are removed where needed.

4

Polish and advice

Surfaces are polished and hygiene technique is reviewed.

Common questions

Does scaling loosen teeth?

No. Teeth feel different afterwards because the calculus that was splinting them is gone; if the gums were already inflamed, some recession may become visible. That is the disease, not the cleaning.

How often should it be done?

Typically every six to twelve months for healthy gums, more often for patients with a history of gum disease.

Is deep cleaning painful?

It is done under local anaesthetic because it works below the gum line. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal.

Can I have it done in one trip?

A routine scale and polish is a single appointment. Deep cleaning is often split into two or more sessions and may need a review before you travel home.

Related treatments

Other dental treatments available at our partner hospital.

Dental implants

Gum health is assessed before implant treatment.

Teeth whitening

Clean surfaces whiten more evenly.

Full price list

All dental items and current list prices.

Where you are treated

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Dental Hospital, 687 Shixin Middle Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou.

Metro Line 2/5, People's Square, Exit C5English-speaking staffList prices in CNY, quoted in writing after assessment

Hospital profile →

Ask about this treatment

Send us your dental question and we will reply with what the hospital can offer, the expected number of visits and a written cost estimate.

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Prices shown are current list prices at our partner hospital in Hangzhou, in Chinese yuan (CNY). Approximate US dollar figures use CNY 7.2 / USD and are for reference only. A written quotation is issued by the hospital after clinical assessment; the final figure depends on the individual treatment plan.

Dental Cleaning and Gum Care in China