Tooth scaling is a dental procedure that removes tartar (hardened plaque) from teeth and roots. This treatment is important for preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
During the procedure, the dentist or hygienist will use a scaling tool to gently remove plaque and calculus from your teeth. Often, this is done in conjunction with root planing.
Benefits
Teeth scaling is a dental procedure that involves removing plaque and tartar from the teeth. It is an essential part of any routine cleaning that a hygienist performs during regular appointments.
Scaling is done to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It also helps reverse gingivitis before it becomes more serious gum disease. This is because it removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and underneath your gum line.
Your hygienist or dentist can use a manual scaler to get into areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. They can also use an ultrasonic device that vibrates to break up plaque bacteria and hardened tartar.
This process can take several appointments to complete. Your hygienist may recommend that you come back for a follow-up visit to make sure the treatment is working and that your gums are healing.
The procedure can be uncomfortable, and it can cause sensitivity in your teeth and gums. This is normal, and it usually dissipates within a few days. You can expect to have tenderness in your gums for a few weeks after the scaling is completed.
In many cases, your hygienist can numb the area where they will be performing the procedure with a local anesthetic. This will help you to feel comfortable during the treatment.
When it comes to the benefits of this procedure, the most important is that it helps prevent gum disease and tooth loss. This is because it removes plaque and other debris from the roots of your teeth and thereby shields them from infection.
It also reduces the pocket gap between your teeth and gums, which is a common indicator of periodontal disease. This pocket gap can be a significant source of infection and can lead to bone, tissue and tooth loss.
Another advantage of this procedure is that it can help to eliminate the need for root canal therapy, which can be a complex and expensive treatment. This is because the roots of your teeth are protected from infection by the scaling and root planing process.
The procedure can be performed by an experienced hygienist, and it is a necessary step to prevent gum disease and tooth loss. This is also a great way to whiten your teeth, and it is often recommended as a step toward better oral health.
Preparation
Dental scaling is a cleaning procedure that targets the plaque bacteria on the surface of your teeth. This type of cleaning is important to maintain healthy oral hygiene, which can help prevent the development of gum disease.
This condition, known as periodontitis, can lead to tooth loss and other health issues. Regular scaling and root planing can help you prevent gum disease by removing plaque buildup and helping the area heal.
Scaling involves the removal of hardened plaque and tartar from both the surface of your teeth and below your gum line. To make sure the process is painless, your dentist may numb the area with a numbing gel or anesthetic injection.
During this procedure, your dentist uses an instrument called a scaler to thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar along the root surfaces of each tooth. This helps prevent plaque from building up in the space between your teeth and gums – a space that can be difficult to reach and clean, resulting in infection.
Your dentist may also use a tool called a curette to smooth the rough edges of the root surfaces, which allows gum tissue to heal more quickly. If your gums have not healed after the first scaling, additional treatment may be needed.
You should brush and floss regularly before and after tooth scaling to reduce the amount of plaque that builds up between your teeth and gums. You should also avoid certain foods and drinks that can promote the growth of bacteria.
In addition, you should avoid drinking alcohol or taking any medications that can thin the blood, including blood thinners like Plavix, Eliquis, Warfarin or Pradaxa, as these can increase your risk of bleeding during a scaling procedure.
To keep your oral health in good shape, it is critical to schedule a professional cleaning and checkup at least twice a year, or more frequently if you have an issue with gum disease. This will help your dentist determine if a scaling procedure is necessary and how to treat the disease before it becomes more severe.
Your dentist can usually perform a single scaling and root planing appointment, but it may take more than one visit. The number of visits depends on the extent of your gum disease and how much progress you’ve made following treatment.
Procedure
Dental scaling is a procedure your dentist or periodontist uses to remove plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line. It’s an important step in treating gum disease, and it can help stop the progression of severe periodontitis.
The dentist or hygienist can scale your teeth manually, or they may use an ultrasonic tool with a vibrating metal tip and a water spray. The vibrations break up the plaque and tartar, allowing it to be removed from your teeth without damaging them.
Plaque builds up over time on your teeth, particularly if you don’t brush and floss them as recommended. As it accumulates, it traps bacteria and hardens into tartar, which cannot be removed with basic brushing or flossing.
When your hygienist or dentist sees signs of periodontitis, they may recommend a deep cleaning like scaling and root planing to address the problem. The process may take several appointments.
Your hygienist or dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area they are working on before the scaling begins. Typically, they work one side of your mouth at a time so that you don’t feel too much discomfort during treatment.
A hygienist or dentist may also place an antibiotic gel on the surface of your teeth during the scaling to kill off any harmful germs. They may also prescribe an oral antibiotic or special mouthwash to be used for a few days following the procedure.
After the scaling is finished, your dentist or hygienist will apply a disinfectant to the treated area. This helps reduce the risk of infection and makes your gums more comfortable.
Scaling is usually followed by root planing, which smoothes out rough spots on the tooth’s roots below the gum line. The goal is to make it harder for bacteria to stick to the surfaces of your teeth and roots in the future, so that your gums can reattach more easily once they’ve healed.
After the deep cleaning, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene at home to keep plaque and tartar from building up again. This involves twice-daily brushing and flossing as well as maintaining a healthy diet and regular checkups with your hygienist or dentist.
Recovery
Scaling and root planing is a dental treatment for gum disease that helps restore the health of the teeth and gums. This procedure eliminates plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line, preventing bacterial growth and promoting healthy gum tissue attachment. It also helps to reduce bleeding of the gums and inflammation in the gums.
During this procedure, your dentist will use an ultrasonic scaling device to remove deep-seated plaque bacteria. This reaches areas that brushing and flossing may not be able to reach. During the procedure, your dentist will numb your gums with local anesthetic.
The numbing should wear off after 24 hours and you can begin eating a normal diet again. You should avoid sticky, hard (popcorn, nuts), ice cubes, acidic and spicy foods as these will irritate your gums during the recovery period.
You should use a desensitizing toothpaste during the recovery period to minimize tooth sensitivity. This is particularly helpful if you experience pain after the treatment.
A soft-bristled toothbrush is best, as a hard-bristled one can damage exposed gum tissue. You should brush twice daily, using gentle, circular strokes to clean all of your teeth and gums.
After a day or two of recovery, you should be able to resume your regular oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing. You should also use mouthwash to keep your gums healthy.
Your dentist will give you instructions on how to care for your mouth during this time. You should avoid eating foods that irritate your gums, such as popcorn, nuts and granola. Instead, eat soft, nutrient-rich foods that require minimal chewing.
You will likely experience some bleeding after your tooth scaling, which should subside within a few days. If you experience ongoing bleeding, place a gauze compress on the affected area to stop the bleeding.
It is a good idea to rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times per day, which can help alleviate any swelling or discomfort you may be experiencing. Propping your head up with pillows can also help alleviate both pain and bleeding.
Scaling and root planing is a highly effective way to treat gingivitis and gum disease, and it is a key component of any patient’s dental care plan. With proper dental care and continued follow-up, it is possible to maintain optimal gum health for years to come.