What Is Teeth Scaling?
Sometimes, after a routine dental cleaning, a dentist may recommend a teeth scaling procedure. Dental scaling is designed to help patients with early gum disease by removing excess plaque buildup below the gumline. If your dentist has suggested that you need a dental scaling procedure, it may be helpful to understand more about what the treatment procedure involves so you know what to expect.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Getting your teeth professionally cleaned by a certified dental hygienist is a critical part of maintaining optimal oral health. Even for individuals who brush and floss daily, a professional cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar that build up along the gumline and in areas that daily brushing cannot reach. Most dentists recommend that patients receive a professional dental cleaning every six months.
What is Teeth Scaling?
For some patients, a routine dental cleaning may not be enough, and a deeper, more thorough cleaning may be needed. Dental scaling is a deep cleaning procedure recommended for patients with early gum disease who need plaque and tartar removed from below the gumline.
A dental scaling or teeth scaling procedure is not typically part of a routine dental cleaning. Instead, it is an additional treatment that is usually scheduled for another visit.
Why Do I Need a Teeth Scaling Procedure?
Daily eating and drinking lead to the buildup of a sticky film called plaque on the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that can cause gum disease and, over time, tooth decay. While daily brushing and flossing are important for minimizing plaque buildup, professional cleanings are still necessary to remove hard-to-reach plaque and tartar that accumulates over time.
For individuals in the early stages of gum disease, the gums may begin to recede slightly. When this happens, plaque can accumulate below the gumline and settle in small pockets that form between the teeth and gums. These gum pockets allow bacteria to grow and can worsen gum disease if left untreated.
If your dentist determines that you have developed deeper gum pockets, they may recommend a teeth scaling procedure to remove plaque below the gumline and help slow the progression of gum disease.
Teeth Scaling Procedure
During a teeth scaling procedure, the hygienist uses handheld instruments to carefully scrape plaque and tartar from the teeth. A thin tool is inserted beneath the gumline to reach plaque deposits that cannot be removed through daily brushing. In some cases, the hygienist or dentist may use an ultrasonic instrument, which uses gentle vibrations combined with a cool water spray to break up plaque and flush it away.
After scaling is complete, the hygienist may perform a root planning procedure. During root planning, the surface of the tooth root is smoothed to remove bacteria and help the gums reattach properly to the tooth.
If your dentist has recently recommended a teeth scaling procedure, you can think of it as a deeper cleaning designed to help restore your oral health. Scheduling your appointment as soon as possible can help to prevent gum disease from progressing further.
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