You’ve probably heard the term “teeth scaling” before, if you’re wondering what it is or you’re looking for more information this blog is for you! We’ll discuss all the important aspects of teeth scaling and if we think it’s worth it for you! (Spoiler alert… we definitely do!)
What Are The Benefits Of Teeth Scaling?
Here are some of the benefits:
- Whiter & healthier smile – Plaque may be colorless, but tartar is not. Getting it removed can substantially whiten your smile.
- Healthier gums – Plaque & tartar will eventually impact your gums if left untreated. This can lead to incredibly serious dental issues that can be painful & expensive!
- Eliminates bad breath – Plaque & tartar build up are significant contributors to bad breath, getting them removed will help solve this issue.
- Good for your heart – There have been many studies showing a connection between heart and oral health. Simply removing plaque and tartar can reduce your chances of heart diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and many other life-threatening illnesses.
- Saves you money – Taking care of the little problems can help prevent them from becoming bigger problems which will save you time and money!
- Prevents tooth loss – Plaque and tartar can lead to diseases that can impact a tooth so bad it may loosen and eventually fall out!
Can you do teeth scaling and root planing at home?
Who needs to Teeth Scaling & Root Planing?
If your gums pull away from your teeth, it can cause pockets (measurable depths greater than 4 millimeters) to form, this is a big problem since you can’t reach the bacteria in these pockets at home. To help prevent this from happening, flossing is essential, since flossing can reach places brushing can’t.
Why is Chronic periodontal disease bad?
Chronic periodontal disease is terrible for patients, if left untreated, it can lead to:
- Bone and tissue loss
- Tooth loss
- Loose teeth
- Moving teeth
What Causes Chronic Periodontal Disease?
- Poor or inadequate dental hygiene
- Poorly control diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Aging
- Changes in hormone levels
- Poor nutrition
- Family history
- Other medical conditions
What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Periodontal Disease?
- Bleeding gums
- Inflamed, red, or tender gums
- Bad breath
- Shifting permanent teeth
- A change in your bite
What happens during teeth scaling & Root planing?
Teeth scaling is a common procedure in dental clinics, here’s what will happen:
- A local anesthetic may be applied to lessen the discomfort.
- The teeth scaling will begin, this involves scraping the tooth above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar build-up. The scaling can be performed by hand, with an electronic scaler or a combination of the two.
- Root planing will occur afterward, the dental hygenist will smooth out the roots of the tooth so the gums attach to the teeth properly.
- Antimicrobial agents may be recommended for your mouth afterward. This will help accelerate the healing process.
- Host modulation may also be recommended for additional treatment to your gums. If it is, medication will be applied directly to your gums to lessen the long-term negative effects of periodontal disease.
What should I do after the procedure?
There are minimal risks, the best tactic is to take extra care of your home dental routine to minimize the chances of infection. The main concern is an increase in tooth sensitivity. Which can be helped by using toothpaste made for sensitive teeth.
The cost for 1 unit of scaling (equals 15 minutes of scaling) is $67.16
If you experience:
- Worsening pain
- Poor healing
- A fever
Please call the clinic, however, these problems are very rare.
