Health Manipulation

Dental scaling, also called prophylaxis, refers to a dental procedure, which involves the safe removal of plaque and other dirt from below your tongue and your teeth. Plaque that remains in the surface of your teeth, and in your gum line is the major cause of swelling, irritation, gingivitis and other gum infections. The procedure aims to get rid of debris, bacteria and plaque in the specific areas of your mouth and teeth that your floss and toothbrush cannot reach.

Importance of Dental Scaling

Plaque, which is a naturally occurring substance found in the surface of your teeth, combines with food debris and bacteria, causing it to harden and develop tartar. This further causes the plaque to stick to your teeth. The problem with hardened plaque and tartar is that it also leads to gum irritation, inflammation and infection.

It can also further trigger periodontitis. When this happens, expect the tartar to spread below your gum line, causing your gums to recede, the loss of your tooth, and damage to your supporting bone structure. These are the things that dental scaling can prevent. It is a vital part of your dental care plan, making it possible for you to maintain a brighter and better smile.

It protects your gums, preventing bacteria, tartar and plaque from damaging your teeth. It also works in eliminating bad breath. If you suffer from halitosis (chronic bad breath) then dental scaling can significantly reduce that problem by targeting the source. Note that the foods you eat are not the only causes of bad breath. There are also times when tartar buildup and poor dental hygiene contribute to the problem. In this case, dental scaling is the best solution.

How does it Work?

Dental scaling is usually conducted by a dentist with the help of ultrasonic instruments, manual instruments or both. He will first examine your mouth thoroughly. After the thorough examination, he will use an ultrasonic scaling instrument to get rid of plaque and bacteria.

The instrument will produce sonic vibrations that help in eliminating plaque. It can remove not only plaque, but also biofilm and tartar from beneath your gum line, as well as from the surface of your teeth. If after the use of the instrument your teeth still contains something that needs to be removed, your dentist will use the manual instrument.

Based on the position of your teeth, as well as the severity of your case, you may need to undergo one to several cleaning sessions before you can achieve your desired results. You may feel a slight discomfort during the session, especially if your dentist uses the ultrasonic equipment. Your jaw may also feel uncomfortable, and your teeth may get numb because you will need to open your mouth for a long time, usually at least one hour.

Despite these minor issues, dental scaling is still safe, and can help you cure the oral and dental issues that are currently bugging you.