Scaling

A simple way to healthy, bright teeth

Although it may seem hard to believe, the easiest way to avoid toothache and achieve a healthy, bright smile in the long term is good oral hygiene at home, regular check-ups and regular scaling. 

In fact, visits to the dentist for check-ups and scaling twice a year will not only give you the confidence to smile, but will also protect you from other dental conditions such as tooth decay, periodontal disease and even tooth loss. 

As for your at-home hygiene ritual, in addition to the classic brushing, dentists also recommend flossing, which, according to statistics, can remove up to 40% of plaque.

Scaling - why is it important to do it twice a year?

The oral cavity has a rich bacterial flora, which is why even the most rigorous at-home hygiene ritual cannot completely remove plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth. In addition to at-home dental cleaning methods, dentists emphasize the importance of preventive measures, such as office visits and scaling once every six months. 

If left unchecked, bacteria can cause gum disease, bleeding, pain, infection or cavities. Known as the gums' biggest enemy, dental tartar can be easily removed by scaling. 

If the patient does not carry out dental prophylaxis sessions as recommended by the doctor and deviates from the daily oral hygiene routine at home, bleeding and inflammation may occur in the gums. In fact, the American Academy of Periodontology recommends that every adult have a periodontal evaluation every year to determine if additional treatment is needed. 

If periodontal disease has set in, your dentist will most likely recommend a deeper cleaning to remove plaque and treat the gums. 

Deep cleaning of the teeth might sound like something a patient should do after missing a few visits to the dentist or eating a particularly sticky or messy meal. This cleaning is actually a specific procedure performed by the dental hygienist to treat gum and periodontal disease.

What is tartar?

Every day, bacteria and food debris accumulate on the surfaces of your teeth, between the teeth or in contact with the gums, forming what is called dental plaque. When this cannot be completely removed, a hard film called tartar develops on the teeth. 

Tartar can be located above the gumline or subgingival. At first it has a yellowish-white color, which later turns brownish due to food pigments or nicotine in smokers. If not removed from the surface of the teeth, tartar can promote periodontal disease.

Scaling - what is the procedure?

There is a modern method for removing tartar from teeth using an electric, ultrasonic device with a fine tip that vibrates at high speeds and releases a water jet. Together, the electric device and the water jet clean both the tartar and the remaining interdental food debris.

The second step in achieving proper professional hygiene is brushing your teeth in the dental office. For this procedure, a rotating brush and fluoride toothpaste are used and each tooth surface is individually cleaned.

It is recommended that each patient has a professional cleaning and scaling every 6 months.

Is scaling a painful procedure?

Scaling is generally a painless procedure, causing no discomfort, but it may be perceived differently by a patient with sensitive gums (a local anesthetic may be applied if the pain is unbearable).

Following scaling, a small number of patients may experience tooth sensitivity. Your dentist may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste to help relieve this discomfort, or a prescription mouthwash (it also helps to keep your gums clean).

It is essential to stick to your home hygiene ritual to slow down the plaque build-up on your teeth.

Regular scaling - the secret to healthy, bright teeth

In addition to prophylactic treatment, scaling is considered the first line of non-surgical periodontal treatment. It has beneficial effects both at an aesthetic level, by removing the various stains on the teeth, and at a psychological level, by providing a feeling of "cleanliness".

If done at regular intervals, scaling can reduce and even eliminate the risk of gum disease.

Thus, we need to pay very close attention to this procedure, so that it is not delayed or neglected. Along with brushing techniques and regular visits to the dentist, scaling is absolutely necessary for proper oral hygiene.