Teeth Scaling and Teeth Polishing

A routine dental check-up is crucial to ensure your oral hygiene is maintained thoroughly. Even with proper brushing and flossing, there is a possibility of plaque build-up on your teeth, leading to the enamel layer getting damaged.

To prevent such orthodontic complicacies, you can opt for scaling and polishing teeth during the aforementioned dental check-ups.

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What Is Teeth Scaling?

Teeth scaling is a process of oral cleaning that is done below your gum line. This is a common deep-cleaning process which is necessary to protect the tooth enamel beneath the gums. In addition, it also protects your teeth from periodontal disease.

There are different types of dental scaling, and all of these have the same function, only different at their extent of working.

Prophylaxis Cleaning: This is a simple cleaning process.
Scaling and Root Planing: This requires more deep cleaning.
Gross Debridement: This is only required in severe cases.

What Is Teeth Polishing?

Teeth polishing is a dental cleaning method. Even though most people use it for cosmetic purposes, it is beneficial for your oral hygiene.

There are two techniques of dental polishing:

Traditional Method: Dentists use a soft and spinning rubber cup containing prophylaxis paste, a compound made of mild abrasives and fluoride.
Prophy-Jet Polishing Method: Dentists use water, air, sodium bicarbonate or non-sodium powder via a high-pressure spray to remove plaques and polish your teeth.

Dental polishing is mainly used for:

Removing dental stains.
Remove plaque.
Smoothen teeth surface.
Prevent gum diseases.
Make your teeth clean and shiny.

When someone combines dental scaling and polishing, they benefit the most. As both these dental treatments are capable of removing the tartar deposits from your teeth and making their surface feel smoother. If you are struggling with periodontal disease, your dentist is more likely to opt for this non-surgical procedure.

What Is the Procedure for Teeth Scaling?

The dentists use advanced medical equipment to loosen the hardened tartar and wash it away without leaving any residue during dental scaling. Your oral hygienist will be using both handheld tools and motorised machinery to conduct this procedure without inadvertently hurting your teeth.

However, they would not start scraping off layers of plaque in the beginning, they would follow a series of treatments beforehand. These are the steps involved in teeth scaling:

Step 1: Your dentist would conduct an initial dental exam before beginning. They need to do this to know the extent of the buildups.

Step 2: After finding which areas that need special attention, they would use local anaesthesia to numb the area of treatment.

Step 3: A dentist would then use a scraper and gradually scrape the plaque build-ups in your periodontal pockets

Step 4: After scaling, they would use a dental curette to smooth the rough edges of your teeth.

What Is the Procedure for Teeth Polishing?

Generally, dental polishing is done after completing scaling. Polishing makes your teeth appear shinier by smoothing out stains caused by the plaques, calculus, or from using tobacco.

Here are the steps involved in teeth polishing.

Step 1: Your hygienist would look for any tooth decay or weaker spots.

Step 2: They would then perform the scaling process to remove any tartar or plaque from your tooth.

Step 3: After this, dentists use a soft and spinning rubber cup to conduct your teeth polishing.

Why Is It Necessary to Opt for Teeth Scaling and Polishing?

Your oral health is tangentially related to your overall wellbeing, as tooth decay can become a contributing factor to far more serious complications, such as migraine, heart disease, malnutrition, diabetes, etc. With scaling and polishing of teeth, you can rest assured about being out of harm’s way because of the multifaceted benefits these treatments offer, including:

Eradicating the scope of plaques and tartar leads to debilitating dental salubriousness.
The comprehensive improvement of your gumline’s condition. As it functions as a stable foundation for your teeth, healthy gum is essential to ensure you can chew and bite on your foods without any issues. Moreover, healthy gums are capable of promoting better lung conditions and lessening inflammatory issues for you.
Decreasing the scope of halitosis. Even with regular brushing and mouthwash usage, you can face issues of bad breath caused by tartar. With teeth scaling and polishing, your mouth gets freshened up. So, you have an improved sense of self-confidence in a social setting.
Preventing the chances of tooth loss. Without immediate medical attention, periodontal disease can lead to a missing tooth. Similarly, bacterial growth under your gum line can necessitate tooth extraction. Routine oral healthcare procedures are thus a helpful measure, especially for senior individuals.
Helping you in saving money regarding your dental health in the long run. Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious problems like root infection, crooked or misaligned teeth, and tooth sensitivity. As a result, you may need to spend a hefty amount on restorative dentistry. However, thorough preventive measures such as teeth scaling and polishing are effective preventive measures that resolve these issues in their origin.

How Often Should Teeth Scaling and Polishing Be Done?

Like any other medical treatment, specifics can vary largely on a case-to-case basis. So, you must consult with your dentist to have a concrete idea regarding when you should go for scaling and polishing of teeth the next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is the process of scaling and polishing teeth painful for a patient?

A patient is likely to feel some minor discomfort during the initial days after opting for teeth scaling and polishing. As dentists use local anaesthesia to mitigate the pain level, you do not face the risk of severe affliction. Although you can face issues like teeth sensitivity, inflammation, and unease while consuming food – these problems do not persist as your mouth starts to heal.

Which foods to consume after teeth scaling and polishing?

There are a few simple steps that you can follow to help your mouth heal faster. As your mouth will feel sore and numb after getting the treatment, it is advised that you must not consume any food till this aforementioned numbness wears off. Additionally, try to be on a soft diet for at least three days after getting the treatment. Keeping away from tobacco, alcohol, or hot and spicy foods is also crucial.

What are the aftercare techniques post teeth scaling and polishing?

Take at least a week to gradually resume your regular brushing, rinsing, and flossing practices. Moreover, you should use over-the-counter pain medications as prescribed. However, if the pain still persists, you must consult with your orthodontist as soon as possible.