This clinic
01Point Cook
Address220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030
Phone(03) 8338 1515
HoursMon–Sat 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Teeth cleaning in Point Cook, matched to your gums.
A professional scale and clean removes the plaque and tartar that brushing leaves behind, and it's usually recommended every six months. At Magical Smiles Point Cook we also provide deep cleaning for gum disease, and we'll explain other methods you may have read about, such as laser-assisted gum therapy or air polishing, before recommending what your gums need. Book online or call (03) 8338 1515.
01 · Routine
Scale & Clean
Your regular six-monthly visit.
02 · Deep
Scaling & Root Planing
When gum disease is present.
03 · Laser
Laser-Assisted Therapy
For diagnosed gum disease.
04 · Air
Air Polishing
Warm water, air and fine powder.
Why cleans matter
Good oral health starts with healthy gums.
Even careful brushing misses some spots. A sticky layer of bacteria called biofilm collects along the gumline and between teeth, and over time it hardens into tartar that a toothbrush can't remove.
Cleans are part of our everyday general dentistry care in Point Cook, together with check-ups, fillings and gum treatment.
A professional clean isn't about looks. It's the appointment where we remove what brushing can't, look for early signs of problems and protect the base that fillings, implants and orthodontic work all rely on.
Each hygiene visit at Magical Smiles Point Cook includes a check of your gums and soft tissues, a gum-pocket screen and time to talk about what we find. Many people only need a routine scale and clean every six months; others need a deep clean or further gum care. We explain the options, the reasons and the cost before we start.
Gum problems are more common than many people realise. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports that around 3 in 10 adults aged 15 and over (29%) had gingivitis in the 2017–18 national adult oral health study. Moderate or severe periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease, rose with age, from 12% of 15–34 year olds to 69% of people aged 75 and over.
Worth knowing
Gum disease often doesn't hurt in its early stages, and it's much easier to manage when it's found early. Regular check-ups give us the chance to spot changes before they become bigger problems.
Cleaning approaches
Which teeth clean do you need?
It depends on the health of your gums, your dental history and what's happening below the surface. Here are four approaches you may hear about, with a short guide to who each one suits. Your dentist will explain which of them your gums need and whether each is an option for you.
01 · Routine
Maintenance Scale & Clean
Usually six-monthly
Your standard hygiene visit. Ultrasonic and hand instruments remove plaque, tartar and surface stains, then your teeth are polished. It suits most adults with healthy gums.
Read more →
02 · Treatment
Deep Clean
Scaling & root planing
A non-surgical treatment for early to moderate gum disease. We clean below the gumline along the tooth roots so inflamed gums can settle, usually with local anaesthetic.
Read more →
03 · Laser
Laser Gum Therapy · LAPT
For diagnosed gum disease
Laser-assisted periodontal therapy uses a dental laser inside the gum pocket. It's a minimally invasive approach for diagnosed gum disease that targets bacteria where hand instruments struggle to reach.
Read more →
04 · Air
Air Polishing
Warm water, air & powder
Air polishing combines warm water, air and a fine powder to remove biofilm, which many people with sensitive teeth find more comfortable.
Read more →01Routine care · Every six months
Maintenance Scale & Clean
This is the foundation of preventive dental care. At each visit we remove the build-up your toothbrush can't reach and take a close look at your teeth and gums.
We begin by checking your gums and soft tissues. An ultrasonic scaler then breaks up hardened tartar, and fine hand instruments tidy along the gumline. A polishing paste lifts everyday stains, we floss between each tooth, and fluoride is applied where it helps.
We'll let you know how long to allow when you book. You'll leave with cleaner teeth and a clear picture of how your gums are doing.
Why keep the visits regular? In the AIHW's figures from the 2017–18 national adult oral health study, adults who usually visited the dentist for a problem were nearly twice as likely to have at least one tooth with untreated decay as those who usually went for a check-up (44% compared with 24%).
Ultrasonic scalingGentle vibration loosens tartar with less scraping.
Gum pocket checkWe measure your gum pockets to catch early changes.
PolishSurface stains from tea, coffee and wine are polished away.
FluorideApplied where appropriate to help strengthen enamel.
Checking your gums
A thin probe measures the small gap between tooth and gum, one of the first signs of gum health.
Visit
Standard appointment
How often
Usually six-monthly
02Treatment · For gum disease
Deep Clean · Scaling & Root Planing
When gum pockets deepen and stay inflamed, a routine clean can't reach the cause. A deep clean works below the gumline, along the roots, where the bacteria are.
Scaling and root planing is a standard non-surgical treatment for gingivitis and early to moderate periodontitis. After numbing the area, we clean plaque, tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces and smooth them, giving the gums a better chance to settle and heal.
It's often done over two appointments, treating one side of the mouth at a time. Your teeth may feel sensitive for a few days. At a review visit a few weeks later, we re-measure the pockets to see how your gums have responded.
We always assess and chart your gums before recommending a deep clean. Results depend on how advanced the gum disease is and on your home care.
Numbed firstLocal anaesthetic keeps you comfortable during treatment.
Smoother rootsMakes it harder for bacteria to build up again.
Follow-up checkWe re-measure your gums to track progress.
Ongoing careMore frequent cleans to help keep gums stable.
Below the gumline
Cleaning the root surface gives inflamed gums the chance to heal.
Visits
Often two
Numbing
Local anaesthetic
03Laser care · For diagnosed gum disease
Laser Gum Therapy · LAPT
Laser-assisted periodontal therapy uses focused laser light inside the gum pocket, reaching areas that are difficult to clean with hand instruments alone.
Some dental lasers combine two wavelengths: one helps remove infected tissue and tartar from the pocket and root, while the other works deeper to reduce bacteria and support healing.
LAPT isn't a routine clean. It's a treatment for diagnosed gum disease and forms part of a wider plan that includes professional cleaning, home-care advice and regular maintenance visits. A full assessment always comes first. You can read more on our laser periodontal therapy page.
Results of laser-assisted periodontal therapy vary with each person and the severity of their gum disease. If it's relevant to you, we'll explain whether it's an option, whether it suits you and the risks for your case.
Assessed firstA full gum assessment always comes first.
Minimally invasiveNo gum flap surgery and no stitches.
TargetedLaser energy directed into the affected pocket.
Supports healingPart of a plan to help gum tissue recover.
Dental laser
An example of the kind of laser used in gum therapy.
Used for
Diagnosed gum disease
First step
Full gum assessment
04Air polishing · Gentle biofilm removal
Air Polishing
Air polishing uses warm water, air and a fine powder to wash away biofilm and surface stains with less scraping, which is why people with sensitive teeth often ask about it.
It's often part of a step-by-step approach that first shows where plaque is sitting and then removes it methodically.
Slim, low-pressure nozzles can reach into gum pockets and around implants, which is why the technique is often used for implant care, braces and wires, and teeth or gums that react to traditional scaling.
The water is usually warmed, so the clean can feel less cold on sensitive teeth. Ask us whether air polishing suits you; your dentist will also tell you whether some scaling is needed.
Warmed waterUsually temperature-controlled for comfort.
Fine powderLow-abrasion powders are made for teeth, fillings and implants.
Implant-friendlyDesigned to clean around implants without scratching them.
Less scrapingPlaque is washed away rather than scraped off.
Air-polishing unit
An example of the equipment: warm water, air and fine powder.
Uses
Warm water, air, powder
Often suits
Sensitive teeth, implants
Choosing a clean
The four approaches side by side.
Most people only need one. Here's how they compare on the points patients ask about most, and your dentist will help you choose based on your gums, history and preferences.
| Compare | MaintenanceScale & Clean | DeepRoot Planing | LaserLAPT | AirPolishing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suits | Healthy gums and regular upkeep | Gingivitis and early periodontitis | Diagnosed gum disease | Sensitive teeth, implants and braces |
| Appointment | Standard visit | Longer, often over two visits | Varies, usually several visits | Similar to a standard clean |
| Numbing | Rarely needed | Local anaesthetic | Often not needed | Rarely needed |
| How it works | Ultrasonic and hand instruments, then polish | Cleaning and smoothing roots below the gum | Dental laser light | Warm water, air and fine powder |
| Around implants | Yes, with care | Yes, with adapted technique | Yes | Well suited |
| Next clean | Usually six-monthly | Often every 3–4 months | Ongoing maintenance plan | As your dentist advises |
Your appointment
What happens at a hygiene visit.
First visit or regular patient, every clean at Magical Smiles Point Cook follows the same unhurried steps, so you always know what's next.
01
We catch up
Any sensitivity, bleeding gums, new dental work or medication changes since your last visit.
02
We check and record
A soft-tissue check, an oral cancer screen and gum charting, with every pocket measured and changes noted.
03
We clean
A routine scale and clean or a deep clean, chosen for your mouth and explained as we work.
04
We plan ahead
You get a summary of what we found and did, what comes next, and the chance to book your next visit before you leave.
Frequent Smiles · Rewards for regular cleans
A little extra for keeping up your check-ups.
Regular cleans look after your teeth, and the Frequent Smiles program rewards you for coming back. Members who keep their six-monthly hygiene visits receive whitening top-ups. Program terms apply, so check the Frequent Smiles page or ask our team.
After your first clean
Custom Whitening Trays
Made for your teeth once you've completed your first clean and joined Frequent Smiles through the app.
At each six-monthly visit
2 Whitening Gel Top-ups
Keep your regular check-up and clean, and two complimentary whitening gel syringes are included, subject to program terms.
Frequently asked
Teeth cleaning in Point Cook: your questions.
Straight answers to the questions we're asked most about check-ups and cleans.
Most adults need a professional clean every six months, along with brushing twice a day and cleaning between their teeth. If you have gum disease, implants, braces or certain health conditions, your dentist may suggest every three or four months instead. We'll recommend the right interval after examining you.
A scale and clean removes plaque, tartar and stains from the visible tooth surfaces and just under the gumline. A deep clean, also called scaling and root planing, treats gum disease by cleaning the tooth roots below the gumline so the gums can heal. It usually takes longer, is often spread over two visits and uses local anaesthetic.
Air polishing sprays warm water, air and a fine powder over your teeth, removing biofilm, plaque and surface stains with less scraping. It's often used around implants, braces and sensitive teeth. Ask us whether it suits you, and your dentist will explain the cleaning method your teeth need.
LAPT uses dental laser light to treat bacteria inside gum pockets and around tooth roots. It isn't a routine clean: it's a treatment for diagnosed gum disease, used alongside professional cleaning and regular maintenance, and only after a full assessment.
Most people find a routine clean comfortable. Some sensitivity afterwards is normal, particularly if it's been a while or your gums are inflamed. If you're worried, tell us and we'll talk about gentler options, such as a numbing gel where suitable, and explain each step before we start.
Most health funds with extras cover contribute to check-ups and cleans, although rebates depend on your fund and policy. We claim on the spot with HICAPS, so you only pay the gap. Eligible children can use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for eligible services, up to $1,158 over two calendar years (or $1,132 if their two-year period began in 2025). You can check your child's remaining balance in your Medicare online account through myGov. We'll give you a fee estimate before treatment.
Yes, and regular cleans are especially important with implants. They need a gentler technique that protects both the gum and the implant surface. Your dentist will choose instruments and methods that clean around implants without scratching them.
A routine scale and clean fits into a standard appointment. Deep cleans and laser gum treatment take longer and may be split over more than one visit. We'll tell you how much time to allow when you book.
No referral is needed for a routine clean or a gum assessment. Book online or call Magical Smiles Point Cook on (03) 8338 1515. If another practitioner has referred you, please bring any records with you.
We're at 220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030. The clinic is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and closed on Sundays. Call (03) 8338 1515 or book online.
Book your next clean
Teeth cleaning at Point Cook.
Health fund rebates are claimed on the spot with HICAPS, and Afterpay, Zip Pay and SuperCare are available, subject to eligibility and terms. Book online or call to find a time that suits you.
Address
220 Point Cook Road
Point Cook VIC 3030
Point Cook VIC 3030
Hours
Mon – Sat · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday · closed
Sunday · closed