What is Teeth Scaling?
Did you recently visit the dentist and discover you may need a deep cleaning procedure? You are not alone! An additional deep cleaning, called a teeth scaling and root planing procedure, helps to keep the teeth and gums healthy and to prevent the progression of gum disease. While a routine professional cleaning addresses the surfaces of the teeth, it is not intended to be a deep cleaning. A teeth scaling and root planing procedure is designed to remove excess plaque that has built up along and below the gumline. Below are more details on the teeth scaling procedure to help you feel prepared for what’s ahead.
What Is a Teeth Scaling Procedure?
A teeth scaling procedure is a common deep cleaning procedure that is recommended when a traditional dental cleaning is not enough to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar along the teeth. A certified dental hygienist will perform a teeth scaling procedure to remove plaque and bacteria from along and below the gumline. There are two typical approaches used to perform the procedure:
- By hand, using handheld instruments to scrape plaque from the tooth surface.
- Using an ultrasonic instrument with a vibrating metal tip that breaks up tartar and plaque and flushes it away with water.
It is important to note that more extensive buildup on the teeth may require a deeper cleaning. When deeper cleaning is needed, the teeth scaling procedure may take several visits.
What Does Scaling Feel Like?
The idea of scraping away plaque and tartar from under the gumline may seem unpleasant. It is true that the teeth scaling procedure can cause some discomfort, particularly for patients who have sensitive gums. If your concern about the procedure is keeping you from scheduling it, you should speak with your dentist and ask about options to minimize pain. There are several options your dentist can offer to help make the procedure more comfortable. One option is to apply a local anesthetic that will numb the gum tissue.
Why Do I Need a Scaling Procedure?
For patients with early gum disease, teeth scaling is a common dental procedure recommended by dentists. Scaling is usually recommended when a patient has excessive plaque and tartar buildup along and below the gumline, and a standard professional dental cleaning is not enough.
Daily oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, along with routine dental cleanings, is essential to reducing plaque, bacteria, and tartar buildup on the teeth. When left untreated, the buildup of plaque and bacteria will cause the gums to recede, pockets to form, and eventually the teeth to become loose.
Pockets, a sign of gum disease, begin to form when the gums pull away from the teeth along the gumline. These pockets can fill with plaque and bacteria, causing the gums to become more inflamed and unhealthier. When a dentist identifies pockets that are deeper than normal, they will likely recommend teeth scaling to remove plaque and bacteria from the pockets and below the gumline, and to help treat or reverse gum disease.
Related Article: What does a Dental Hygienist Do?