Having your teeth professionally cleaned is a great way to keep plaque from building up and getting out of hand. It will also help prevent cavities and tooth decay!
Dental scaling is a type of deep cleaning that removes build-up of plaque below the gum line. The dentist uses a handheld tool or an ultrasonic device to do this.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a common dental procedure that helps fight gum disease. It involves removing plaque and tartar that has accumulated under the gum line and in spaces between your teeth and gums.
This bacterial build-up can lead to periodontal disease (gum disease) and tooth loss if left untreated. This explains why it’s important to brush your teeth and floss regularly.
During the scaling process, our dentist or hygienist will use a scaler and curette to remove hardened plaque from your teeth and below the gum line. They may also use an ultrasonic scaling instrument to remove the bacteria and toxins that are embedded in the plaque.
Once the hardened plaque is removed, we can focus on smoothing out rough spots on the roots of your teeth. This helps prevent bacteria from trapping in the rough spots and causing further damage to your gum tissue.
After the scaling and root planing, we can place antimicrobial fibers in the spaces between your teeth and gums to help prevent infection and promote healing. We also recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to keep your teeth clean.
Patients with mild gum disease can often stop the progression of their condition by simply getting regular scaling and root planing. However, if the condition gets worse, our team may suggest more advanced dental treatment.
In some cases, our team will need to perform more than one visit to properly remove all the plaque and tartar. This is because pockets between the teeth and gums are usually deeper in people with gum disease.
Our dentist will numb your gums and teeth with local anesthesia before the scaling and root planning procedure. This will minimize your discomfort and make it easier for you to tolerate the procedure.
Prevents Gum Disease
During the scaling process, a dentist uses a scaler to scrape away plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth above and below your gum line. The procedure can be done manually or with a special ultrasonic device that vibrates a metal tip to remove tartar and bacteria.
Plaque and bacteria can become harmful to your teeth and gums if left untreated. It causes irritation to the gums and can lead to the development of pockets between your teeth and gums. The deeper these pockets get, the more likely you are to develop gum disease.
Scaling and root planing can help prevent gum disease by removing plaque and tartar before it causes inflammation. In addition, it helps the gums heal and reattach to the tooth surface more easily.
Dental scaling and root planing can be performed as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other gum disease therapies. When performed as a preventative measure, it can greatly reduce the risk of gum disease progressing into more serious conditions, including periodontitis.
Dentists use a local anesthetic to numb your gums during this procedure, which will make the treatment feel less painful. However, you may still experience sensitivity after the procedure.
In some cases, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse to fight bacterial infection following the scaling and root planing. Antibiotics can also be inserted into your gum pockets to help control the pain and swelling that you might experience after the deep cleaning.
Keeping up with good dental hygiene habits and regular visits to the dentist will help prevent gum disease from developing in the future. In addition, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily will help you maintain your smile.
Prevents Tooth Decay
Scaling prevents tooth decay, which is the loss of enamel on your teeth (the hard white outer coating). Tooth decay starts when plaque builds up on the surface of your teeth. Plaque is made up of bacteria that turn sugars in your food into acids, which are harmful to your teeth.
This acid can destroy the enamel of your teeth and create holes in them called cavities. It also causes toothaches, since the bacteria irritate the inner part of your teeth (the pulp), which contains nerves and blood vessels. If the acid gets to the pulp it can cause pain that extends beyond the tooth root to your jawbone.
To help protect your teeth, brush them twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use floss to clean between your teeth every day. Flossing removes food particles that your toothbrush can’t get to, and it helps keep your gums healthy.
Another way to prevent tooth decay is to eat foods that don’t stick to your teeth and are easy to clean with saliva. Saliva washes away sugars and acid, and fights bacteria.
Some people have a higher risk of getting tooth decay than others, so it’s important to know your risks and take steps to reduce them. These steps include eating less sugary or starchy foods and drinks, visiting the dentist regularly and having routine oral exams and cleanings.
Tooth decay occurs more often in your back teeth – the molars and premolars – because they have grooves, crannies and multiple roots that collect food particles easily. They are also harder to keep clean than your front teeth, which have smooth surfaces that make it easy to brush them.
Prevents Oral Cancer
Scaling is a non-surgical procedure that can help prevent oral cancer by eliminating the plaque that causes gum disease. It’s a common practice at the dentist’s office, and it helps remove plaque that can build up in hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
Plaque forms in our mouths when we eat certain foods and drink beverages. This sticky substance can build up over time and harden into tartar, which cannot be removed by tooth brushing alone.
When the plaque and tartar reaches a certain level, it can begin to cause inflammation in the gums. This inflammation can lead to periodontal disease.
The process of scaling and root planing is done to help eliminate the plaque that has built up in pockets around the teeth and gums. It also prevents gum disease from advancing to an advanced stage.
Most people should have their teeth cleaned by the dentist at least once in six months for optimal oral health. This routine is particularly important for adults who consume a lot of sugary or starchy foods.
During this procedure, the dentist will use special tools to scrape away plaque and tartar in areas that cannot be reached by regular tooth brushing. This can be done with handheld tools or ultrasonic instruments.
A local anesthetic is used to numb your gums and teeth. You might feel a little tender from the anesthesia, but this should subside within a few days. After this, your gums should return to their natural color and healthy appearance.
Prevents Sensitivity
Plaque has a tendency to form in areas of the mouth that are difficult to reach with toothbrush and floss. Scaling and root planing removes plaque from these hard to reach areas of the teeth. This is essential for healthy teeth, gums and breath. It also helps to prevent cavities and tooth decay.
During scaling, your dentist will remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth and underneath your gums with special tools. The procedure is usually performed at your dental office and takes about 45 minutes. It is recommended that you get your teeth cleaned every 6 months to prevent the build-up of plaque and maintain good oral health.
Your dentist may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste after your scaling and root planing treatment to help you avoid tooth sensitivity. The sensitivity will most likely be noticeable within the first 48 hours after the procedure but should dissipate after a few days. However, if you are experiencing extreme pain or discomfort contact your dentist. This is a normal side effect of any dental treatment and is not harmful.