A teeth cleaning is the cleaning of the teeth for the prevention of periodontal disease and tooth decay. This procedure consists of the removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from teeth, generally above the gum line.  Some patients may require a deep cleaning. A deep-cleaning is a  nonsurgical procedure whereby plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing).