Why regular check-ups and professional teeth cleaning matter
A regular dental check-up is the foundation of prevention: problems are found while they are small and easier to treat. Whether you live here or are visiting, a check-up and teeth cleaning in Skopje usually takes a single appointment.
What is tartar, and why won’t it brush off?
A soft film of bacteria (plaque) builds up on your teeth all the time. Left in place, it hardens into tartar (calculus), which a toothbrush cannot remove; only a professional clean can.
Spotting problems early
Early tooth decay and gum disease often cause no pain. A check-up can pick them up early, when treatment is usually simpler.
Removing tartar and stains
Tartar is removed, and polishing takes off surface stains, such as those from coffee, tea or smoking.
Looking after your gums
Bleeding when you brush is a sign of inflammation. With good home care, which we show you, gingivitis often settles within a few days.
A professional clean does not replace daily care at home. A Cochrane systematic review found that, in adults who see a dentist regularly, a routine scale and polish every 6 or 12 months slightly reduces tartar but makes little or no difference to gum inflammation.
Is a dental check-up and clean right for you?
A check-up makes sense for everyone, even when nothing hurts. It is especially useful if:
- your gums bleed when you brush, one of the first signs of gingivitis (inflamed gums)
- you can see tartar or stains on your teeth
- you smoke: smokers develop gum disease (periodontitis) more often, and nicotine can mask gum bleeding
- you have diabetes, which makes periodontitis about three times more likely
- you are pregnant, as gums become inflamed more easily during pregnancy
- you often get tooth decay, or it has been a long time since your last check-up
When a different approach or extra care is needed
- Gum disease (periodontitis). If the check-up shows signs of periodontitis, such as deep pockets between the teeth and gums, a routine clean is not enough. You need separate gum disease treatment, with deep cleaning below the gumline.
- Heart conditions. If you have an artificial heart valve or have had endocarditis (an infection of the heart’s inner lining), tell us beforehand. Your dentist will decide with you whether any extra precautions are needed.
- Medicines. Tell us which medicines you take, especially blood thinners or bone medicines (for example, for osteoporosis).
What happens at your check-up and clean, step by step
- Your health and any concerns. We ask about your health, your medicines and anything that has bothered you since your last visit.
- Examining your mouth. We check your teeth, fillings and crowns, gums and soft tissues, and how deep the pockets between your teeth and gums are.
- X-rays, only if needed. For example, to look for decay between the back teeth. They are not routine at every visit.
- Removing tartar. Tartar and other deposits are removed as far as the gum margin, with hand instruments or an ultrasonic scaler, which vibrates and sprays water.
- Polishing. A rubber cup and polishing paste remove surface stains. Plaque sticks less easily to a smoother surface.
- Advice and your next visit. We show you which areas need more attention and agree when to come back. If you need treatment, we explain the options first and give you a written plan.
Most people need only one visit, and the scale and polish itself usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. With heavy tartar, it can take longer or be split over two appointments.
Does a scale and polish hurt?
Most people find a scale and polish comfortable. If an ultrasonic scaler is used, you will feel vibration and a spray of water, and may hear scraping, which is normal.
With sensitive teeth or inflamed gums, some areas may feel uncomfortable. Just tell us: we can stop, go more slowly or, if needed, give you a local anaesthetic.
If you feel anxious about the dentist, let us know when you book. We explain each step first; if you need a break, just say so or raise your hand. See also what to expect at your first visit.
After your clean: recovery and care at home
No recovery time is needed. For a few days your teeth may feel more sensitive and your gums a little sore; if they were inflamed, light bleeding for a day or two is expected. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help, if suitable for you.
A clean keeps its effect only if you keep up good care at home:
- Brush twice a day for at least two minutes, with a manual or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with interdental brushes, using floss where gaps are too tight for a brush.
- Cut down on sugary food and drinks.
- If you smoke, stopping is perhaps the most important step for healthy gums, according to the European Federation of Periodontology.
- Use chlorhexidine mouthwash only on a dentist’s advice and for no more than two weeks, as it can stain teeth.
For more tips, read how to brush and clean between your teeth properly.
If your gums keep bleeding or swell, or a tooth feels loose or hurts, call us without waiting for your next check-up. For severe toothache or a broken tooth, read about same-day appointments, possible during opening hours when a slot is available.
Risks, limitations and alternatives
A professional clean is low-risk. Sensitivity and sore gums usually settle within a few days. Also worth knowing:
- Once heavy tartar is removed, you may notice larger gaps between your teeth or more sensitive areas near the gumline: the tartar was covering them, and gums can shrink back slightly as swelling settles.
- In laboratory studies, ultrasonic scalers and air polishing slightly roughened some fillings, particularly composite (white) ones.
Scale and polish or deep cleaning?
| Scale and polish | Deep cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Healthy gums or gingivitis | Periodontitis |
| What is cleaned | The teeth, as far as the gum margin | The roots, in the pockets below the gumline |
| Anaesthesia | Not usually needed | Local |
| Time needed | 30–60 minutes, usually one visit | About 1–2 hours, over 1–2 visits |
Nothing replaces a check-up for spotting changes before they hurt; only how often you come can be adjusted.
Putting off check-ups carries risks. Periodontitis affects around 40% of people, often progresses without obvious signs and accounts for around 70% of tooth loss in adults. Read more about the early signs of gum disease.
Teeth cleaning in Skopje: what affects the cost?
The cost depends on:
- whether it is your first examination or a routine check-up
- whether X-rays are needed, and how many
- how much tartar and staining there is
- the health of your gums, since deep cleaning is planned separately
- any extra preventive treatments, if recommended
We tell you the exact cost after the examination, before the cleaning starts. If we find something that needs treatment, such as decay that needs a white (composite) filling, you first receive a written plan with the costs. See our prices page for more.
If you are insured and have registered with Dr Kiril Milanovski as your chosen dentist (izbran stomatolog) under the Health Insurance Fund (FZO), ask us which parts of the check-up and clean the Fund covers.
Why choose Dr. Milanovski for your check-up and clean?
‘Save the tooth’ is our practice’s motto: saving your natural teeth comes first. A regular check-up is the first step, because a problem found early often needs less treatment. Read more: Save the tooth.
- Before any treatment, we explain our findings and your options, and you receive the plan in writing.
- The practice has a contract with the Fund for primary dental care. If you are insured, you can register with Dr Kiril Milanovski as your chosen dentist.
- The practice has been running since 2015. It is in the Aerodrom district, at Bul. Jane Sandanski 96, near the Biser shopping centre.
- Rated 5.0 on Google (40 reviews, October 2026).
Teeth cleaning: frequently asked questions
How much is a dental cleaning?
It depends on whether it is your first examination or a routine check-up, whether X-rays are needed and how much tartar there is. We tell you the cost after the examination; see our prices page.
How often should you have your teeth cleaned and checked?
There is no single interval for everyone: it depends on how quickly tartar builds up and on your gum health. UK (NHS) guidance for adults ranges from every 3 months to every 2 years, and the European Federation of Periodontology recommends a check-up at least once a year. After treatment for periodontitis, check-ups are usually every 3 to 6 months.
Can you remove tartar at home?
No. Hardened tartar can only be removed at the dentist, not with a toothbrush, toothpaste or home remedies. Do not try to scrape it off yourself, as you could injure your gums. At home, you can help prevent new tartar by brushing regularly and cleaning between your teeth.
What is air polishing?
Air polishing uses a jet of air, water and very fine powder to clean the teeth. It removes soft deposits and stains but does not replace removing hardened tartar. Gentler powders, such as glycine and erythritol, roughen fillings less.
Teeth whitening vs cleaning: what is the difference?
A clean removes tartar and surface stains, so your teeth may look brighter, but it does not change their natural colour; that is what teeth whitening, a separate treatment, is for.
Can I have a check-up and clean while pregnant?
Yes. According to the American Dental Association, dental care, including local anaesthesia, is safe at any stage of pregnancy. The European Federation of Periodontology advises seeing a dentist early in pregnancy, because gums become inflamed more easily at this time. See Dental care in pregnancy.
If you are due a check-up or your gums are bleeding, book an appointment or call us. We are open Monday to Friday, 11:00–19:00, by appointment.
Sources
- NHS – How often should I have a dental check-up?
- Cleveland Clinic – Dental cleaning (dental check-up)
- Cleveland Clinic – Dental deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
- Cochrane – Lamont T et al. 2018, Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults (CD004625)
- European Federation of Periodontology – Gum disease FAQs
- European Federation of Periodontology – Gum disease prevention
- American Dental Association – Pregnancy (oral health topic)
- Esati J et al. 2025, Adverse effects of ultrasonic instrumentation and air polishing on dental restorations: a systematic review of laboratory studies, J Esthet Restor Dent 37(6):1372–1383 (PMID 39908196)