What Is Scaling?

February 25, 2022by Halton Village Dental

Did you know that seven out of ten Canadians will develop one form or another of gum disease in their lifetime?

Needless to say, there’s a lack of importance given to dental care. Your dentist in Georgetown may advise you to get your teeth cleaned. Root planing is often used in conjunction with this treatment if your dentist decides you need the extra procedure. These processes are more often referred to as “deep cleanings.”

If you’re unfamiliar with what is scaling, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading for our full breakdown of how scaling works and why it’s considered essential in preventing gum disease and maintaining oral health.

What Is Scaling?

Gum disease sufferers often need to have their teeth scaled as part of their treatment plan. This sort of dental cleaning goes below the gum line and removes plaque buildup from the teeth and gums.

The term “deep cleaning” refers to scaling and root planing the teeth. Your dentist goes above and beyond the standard cleaning you get at your routine exam and yearly appointment with this procedure. If you’re looking for a great dental clinic in Georgetown, you should check out this helpful guide.

When Is Scaling Necessary for Periodontal Health?

Plaque accumulation is a common occurrence for everyone. You have a thin film of saliva, germs, and proteins covering your teeth practically constantly—plaque forms on your teeth due to food particles, acids, and sugars adhering to this coating.

Gum disease and tooth decay are caused by the bacteria that reside in plaque. The plaque that accumulates on the teeth may be removed by brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist regularly.

Gums in good condition form a tight seal around the tooth, keeping plaque at bay. On the other hand, Gum disease will cause this tissue to relax. The tooth is attached to the gumline by healthy gums between 1 and 3 millimeters deep. Deeper pockets will form as a result of gum disease. Plaque may build up in these areas, resulting in poor breath and other symptoms.

If you have pockets of more than 4 millimeters to treat gum disease, your dentist may likely propose dental scaling.

What Is Teeth Scaling: Understanding the Different Types

For scaling, dentists may use a variety of devices. Your dentist may use both in certain circumstances and methods.

Scalers and curettes: The dentist may use a dental scaler and a curette to remove plaque manually. Dental hygienists must depend on their sense of touch to detect rough places.

Ultrasonic scaling equipment uses a metal point that vibrates to chip away tartar to remove plaque from teeth. The tip will be kept cold by a water mist being sprayed on it throughout the operation.

The Scaling Process

Teeth scaling and root planing may be performed in your dentist’s office as an outpatient operation. As a result of the severity of your ailment, you may need to arrange one or more visits for the procedure.

A local anesthetic may or may not be used by your dentist to reduce the pain of the treatment. If you’re worried about pain, talk to your dentist about your concerns.

First, your dentist will perform a teeth-cleaning procedure. Scraping the plaque from your teeth and any big pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums are what this procedure entails.

After that, your dentist will carry out root planning. Your dentist will use a scale tool to smooth the tooth roots. Reattachment to your teeth is encouraged by this smoothing.

Depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, your dentist may suggest extra dental care. You may be prescribed oral antibiotics for a few days by your dentist to speed up the healing process.

Your dentist may also use host modulation to help cure periodontal disease’s long-term consequences or prevent infection after your surgery.

A scaler and a curette are the most common equipment used in the technique, generally performed by hand. Lasers and ultrasonic tools are also available for tooth scaling. Your dentist may also recommend a thorough mouth sanitization.

The Experience of Scaling: What Does This Form of Teeth Cleaning Feel Like?

Even if you don’t suffer from sensitive gums, scaling your teeth might be painful. An anesthetic may numb the gums and make the treatment more bearable. If you’re worried about the procedure causing you pain or discomfort, talk to your dentist about your choices for desensitizing the region.

To properly scale your teeth, you may need to make multiple trips to the dentist. The mouth may be divided into four quadrants or two halves for scaling the teeth, depending on the dentist. Consider scheduling a single appointment with your dentist for scaling if you’re afraid of the procedure.

However, if you have just mild gum disease and are ready to suffer through a long operation, this may be a possibility.

The Aftermath: What to Expect

After scaling and root planing, your mouth may be uncomfortable and sensitive. Following a surgical operation, some individuals may have edema or bleeding for a few days. To alleviate this irritation, ask your dentist about using desensitizing toothpaste.

After the surgery, your dentist may give you a prescription mouthwash to use to keep your gums clean. After scaling, proper brushing and flossing are essential to prevent plaque from developing in the exact locations.

After your dental scale, you should return to your dentist for an examination of your gums, a measurement of the depth of your gum pockets, and a check to ensure that your mouth is healing correctly. The depth of your gum pockets may need additional treatment if they’ve gone deeper after you had your teeth scaled.

Teeth Cleaning as Preventative Dental Care

Most of us neglect to take proper care of our dental health until we deal with full-blown gum disease. We hope that our guide has shed some light on what is scaling and the importance of frequenting your dentist near Georgetown.

If you’re worried about the state of your oral health, make sure to book an appointment with us online, and we’ll take care of all of your dental needs.

Halton Village Dental Dental

At Halton Village Dental, we are a team of caring, experienced dental professionals. At our community-focused practice, your comfort & satisfaction come first.

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