Our mouths need professional cleanings. Plaque and tartar buildup happens over time, kind of like how a ceiling fan collects dust. Consistent dental care creates a healthy smile over time, but what can just one cleaning get rid of? A lot.

1. Surface Stains

Even if you brush regularly, plaque sticks around in the form of tooth stains. Hygienists use prophy pastes—ones that can remove 35% more stains than at-home brushing. Dental professionals choose pastes depending on patients’ needs. Their rubber cup toothbrush is softer than commercial versions, balancing out the toothpaste’s abrasiveness.

2. Hard Plaque

If you haven’t had a cleaning for quite some time, you may have spots with hardened plaque—also known as calculus. Calculus is too hard to be removed by tooth brushing alone. Hygienists must use periodontal scalers to remove calculus buildup.

3. Bad Breath

Concentrations of odor-causing bacteria dropped 50% after one professional cleaning, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. Like plaque, bacteria like to hide in your mouth’s hard-to-reach areas. Less oxygen reaches those spots, making them dry (and stinky). A cleaning removes deposits on teeth that harbor bacteria. But if your breath is consistently bad, your dentist can help identify the underlying condition.

Though a single dental cleaning isn’t an instant solution, one appointment can make a powerful impact.