The Importance of Dental Scaling and Polishing in Oral Care

• December 27, 2023

The Importance of Dental Scaling and Polishing in Oral Care

Routine dental cleaning, also referred to as scaling in medical terms, is essential to maintain good oral health. Dental scaling eliminates debris, plaque, tartar, and biofilm (a thin film of bacteria) that cannot be removed with brushing and flossing.

Dental cleaning is part of an annual dental check-up, which needs to be done at least once, if not twice a year. Even if you feel that your teeth are clean, it is necessary for a Dental Professional to perform a thorough examination to rule out any minor problems like tooth decay or swollen and bleeding gums, which, if untreated, may lead to tooth loss.

Scaling And Polishing Procedure

Dental scaling involves the careful removal of plaque, bacteria, and tartar (hardened plaque) from the tooth's surfaces just below the gum line, with the help of an ultrasonic scaler. The ultrasonic scaler features a vibrating metal tip combined with a cool water spray. The tip chips away the tartar, and the water flushes out the bacteria and debris from beneath the gum line and pockets.

Dental scaling can be uncomfortable, particularly if you have sensitive teeth and gums. Your dentist may offer to make your gums and teeth numb with the help of local anesthetic gel, and in case of severe sensitivity, local anesthetic injections can be given to make the procedure more comfortable.

Dental scaling can be done in a single visit if your mouth is relatively clean, or in some cases, it can take several visits, each one addressing a different portion of the mouth. After scaling, polishing of the teeth is done to smooth the rough tooth surfaces using a medicated polishing paste. This not only makes your teeth smooth but also brightens them!

Benefits Of Scaling:

Prevents cavities: Plaque buildup on your teeth causes acid formation that eats away your healthy enamel and causes tooth decay. Professional teeth cleaning addresses all the hard-to-reach areas that regular tooth brushing and flossing may fail to cover!

Prevents bone and tooth loss: When there is plaque and tartar deposit on the tooth necks near the gum line, the gums become red, swollen, and start bleeding while eating and brushing. If unattended, the gums will start receding slowly, damaging the jaw bone around the tooth, eventually leading to tooth loss. This risk of tooth loss can be significantly reduced with regular dental cleaning.

Eliminates bad breath: Bad breath is something everyone can relate to. When your mouth is full of plaque and tartar, there is excessive growth of bacteria in the mouth, leading to a foul smell. Regular scaling can take care of that, saving you from embarrassing moments.

Stain-free teeth: If you are into smoking or if you are a tea, coffee, or soft drink lover, there is a big possibility that your teeth will be stained. Scaling will not only make your teeth stain-free, but with polishing, they will have a brighter and whiter glow.

Improves overall health: There is a significant correlation between your overall general health and your oral health. Studies show that teeth cleaning procedures lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, some symptoms of medical conditions can be identified early on with regular oral and dental checkups.

Prevents miscarriage and still birth: Due to poor oral health in pregnancy, expectant mothers can experience miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight baby, gingival tumors, gingivitis, dry mouth, and dental erosions. There is even a correlation between poor oral hygiene and infertility in both men and women. For men, poor oral hygiene can reduce their sperm count and the sperm's ability to swim. In women, bacteria "TRIPLES" the risk of infertility before pregnancy. A regular visit to the dental professional before planning a pregnancy or during early pregnancy can prevent a lot of problems.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

Patients should make an appointment for professional teeth cleaning every six months. While this is ideal for most people, some will need to come in every 3 months, and others will only need to come in every 9 or 12 months.

2. Is teeth cleaning painful?

While the cleaning process may cause some discomfort or sensitivity, it is not painful. If you experience pain during teeth cleaning, you should inform your dentist right away so that they can use local anesthetic to make the process more comfortable for you.

3. How long does a teeth cleaning appointment take?

The length of the cleaning really depends on the health of the teeth and the amount of plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. On average, it will take 45-90 minutes!

4. Difference between regular cleaning and deep cleaning.

Regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above the gum line. A deep cleaning, on the other hand, removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and deep pockets.

5. Can cleaning whiten teeth?

No! It's important to clarify that cleaning does not whiten your teeth. Professional cleaning focuses on removing plaque and tartar as well as tooth surface stains, which can definitely improve the appearance of your smile and give your teeth a cleaner, brighter appearance.

6. Can I eat and drink immediately after cleaning?

If your cleaning includes fluoride treatment, you need to wait 30 minutes to 1 hour before you eat. We recommend avoiding foods that can stain or discolor your teeth for at least 6 hours after cleaning.

By Dr. Tabassum Saqib