WHAT IS DENTAL SCALING?
Dental scaling is dental cleaning mobile alabama procedure performed to help prevent gum disease and excessive plaque buildup on the teeth. Dental scaling, also called deep cleaning, is a technique used to eliminate buildup below the gumline that a routine dental cleaning will not take care of. If you haven’t had a professional cleaning in a few years and your dentist recommends a deep cleaning with dental scaling, it may be helpful to get a better idea of what this procedure involves.
What the Scaling Process Involves
The dental scaling procedure is a type of cleaning technique that is used to reach plague buildup that has occurred below the gumline along the bottom of the teeth. Regular dental cleanings tackle the buildup that forms along the gumline, but when this build up is more advanced, it moves below the surface of the gums. There are two approaches commonly used in scaling:
- Using a held instrument called a scaler, your dentist will scrape plaque from the tooth and then gently work the tool beneath the gum line to remove the plaque your toothbrush can’t reach.
- The other approach is for your dentist to use an ultrasonic scaler. This tool has a metal tip combined with a cool water spray and vibrates at a low frequency. The tip breaks up tartar and at the same time the water flushes debris from the gum pockets.
In most cases, dental scaling is accompanied by the root planning procedure. Root planing is a similar procedure to scaling but targets the tooth’s root.
When is Dental Scaling Necessary?
Routine dental cleanings are important for everyone to help maintain good oral health. This is because plaque buildup is normal for everyone due to the everyday consumption of foods and beverages. If left untreated, the bacteria in plaque can cause gum disease over time, which may result in tooth loss. Good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing and routine dental cleanings help remove the plaque and prevent gum disease. When plaque develops and sits along the gumline it can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. If pockets worsen then the gum tissue becomes loose. As pockets develop more plaque can fill the space and cause the pockets to worsen.
Dental scaling is usually recommended if pockets advance to 4 millimeters or more. At this point your dentist will recommend that the plaque be targeted with deep cleaning. Usually a scaling procedure can eliminate this plaque and help gum tissue return to a healthy state where the gums fit tightly to the teeth.
Post-scaling treatment
After the scaling procedure it is normal to experience soreness and sensitivity. For some individuals, depending on how invasive the procedure is, swelling and light bleeding can be expected for a few days. If you are in pain or if they expect you to experience a lot of discomfort your dentist may suggest a desensitizing toothpaste or a prescription mouthwash to use after the procedure. It is likely that your dentist will schedule a follow-up visit after your dental scaling to examine the gums and check in on the healing progress.
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