A "scale and polish" may help with coffee stains, but it won't necessarily make a difference to gum health, according to the latest research.

Key points: Many dentists have people on a six or 12-month recall for check-ups that include a scale and polish, which is believed to protect against gum disease

Many dentists have people on a six or 12-month recall for check-ups that include a scale and polish, which is believed to protect against gum disease New research has found a regular routine scale and polish provided no benefits to adults without severe gum disease

New research has found a regular routine scale and polish provided no benefits to adults without severe gum disease Dental check ups are still important, although the frequency should depend on your level of disease risk

It's common for dentists to send regular reminders for you to come in for a check-up, which is likely to include a scale and polish of your teeth.

But while this might help make your pearly whites shine and give you a nice, tingly, clean feeling, the latest research suggests it might do little else.

"The results really question whether the scale and polish should be delivered on a scheduled six or 12 monthly interval basis," said Thomas Lamont of the University of Dundee, co-author of a recent Cochrane review of the evidence on the procedure.

Apart from its cosmetic effect, a regular scale and polish is offered as a prevention against gum disease.

This is because it scrapes and cleans away the gunk that builds up on your teeth — including bacteria-laden plaque, which is the main cause of the most serious forms of gum disease.

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It also gets rid of calcified plaque, called calculus or tartar, which is hard to get off with a toothbrush.

The new review looked at the gum health of patients who had a regular scale and polish treatment — scheduled at six or 12 months — and compared them with those who only had the treatment when they asked for it, or it was specifically judged as necessary by the dentist.

The patients studied were UK adults who went to the dentist regularly over two to three years, and did not have severe gum disease

While the six or 12 monthly treatment group showed a small reduction of calculus, this was not linked to a reduction in the early signs of gum disease, when compared to the other groups.

"So as far as health outcomes are concerned, there is no difference between any of the groups," Mr Lamont told this week's Health Report.

The authors recommend future studies focus on patients with gum disease.

That tingly feeling

Mr Lamont, who is also a practising dentist, said whatever else, a scale and clean certainly makes people feel good.

"Patients do like that clean feeling that they get when they've had that scale and polish treatment done," he said.

Eithne Irving from the Australian Dental Association agreed.

"Of all the dental procedures we provide for our patients a scale and clean is the most accepted and enjoyed dental experience for many [or] most patients. They want to come to this appointment," she said.

Further research is needed to clarify the benefits of a scale and clean, she added.

"While there is uncertainty over what a scale and clean achieves, we know calculus can exacerbate periodontal [gum] disease, therefore cleaning it off shouldn't be deleterious and may be beneficial, especially with the links between periodontal health and general health."

Studies in the Cochrane review did not look at side effects of the treatment but the authors stated "scaling is an invasive procedure that has been associated with a number of negative side effects including damage to tooth surfaces and tooth sensitivity".

A mystery shop by CHOICE found the cost of dental check ups ranged from $150 to $231 and the largest part of this was a scale and clean $91 to $157.

Cleaning teeth properly key to good gum health

Mr Lamont said the most important factor in preventing gum disease included cleaning your teeth properly and giving up smoking.

Keeping diabetes at bay will also reduce your risk of gum disease.

Mark Gussy of La Trobe University's dental school said the review by Mr Lamont and colleagues updated a previous 2013 review that also questions the wisdom of a routine scale and polish.

"It's very common practice," Professor Gussy said.

"Both the patient and the dentist expect it's what happens when you go for your dental check up."

Regardless of the benefits of a routine scale and polish, dental check-ups are important for other reasons.

During an examination a dentist will check for decay, loose fillings and even oral cancer.

But exactly how often you need a check-up depends on the individual, Professor Gussy, who reviewed the evidence on the question back in 2013, said.

"People at high risk of disease should have a six-monthly check and people at low risk of disease we should suggest 24 or 36 months," he said.

Professor Gussy said there were tools available to help dentists determine an individual's risk of disease, but dentists often played it safe and set their computers to send out six-month recalls regardless of someone's risk.

An edited version of a dentist reminder letter. ( ABC News )

"I've got a great dentist, but I get a card from his practice every six months saying it's time for your check up," Professor Gussy said.

"And when I ring his practice and say, 'Look, you know who I am … I don't think I need to come and see you in six months' time, why do you keep sending me these cards?' The receptionist says 'They're computer generated — everyone gets one at six months'."

As to how often you should go to the dentist? The results from a new study, conducted in the UK, looking at this question should be out soon.



So watch this space.