How to see if there is tartar under the teeth

[lola1]

I read that if we have tartar under our teeth we need an in-depth cleaning (I think what we call a scaling) and not only a simple cleaning.

I would like to know if the dentist see whether or not there is the tartar under the teeth by looking in the mouth or he has to do first a simple cleaning.

 

[Dr M]

You can sometimes see sub-gingival calculus or the signs thereof, on an x-ray.