Your hygienist has been specially trained to remove all hard deposits (called calculus and tartar) from your teeth. This is achieved with the use of instruments called scalers, after which teeth are polished to a very smooth and shiny finish. Sometimes your hygienist may need to anaesthetise an area of your mouth when carrying out root planning. Occasionally you may need special drugs and mouthwashes to help to reduce infection and these will be prescribed where required.