Teeth cleaning (also known as prophylaxis or prophy) is a procedure for the removal of tartar (mineralized plaque) from the teeth that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach in routine tooth brushing. It is often done by a dental hygienist.
Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. It is recommended that a professional prophy be done once every six months.