Scaling teeth is a procedure that is commonly done for patients who have gum disease. The process usually involves the removal of plaque buildup by cleaning the teeth and reaching below the gum line. This procedure is highly recommended as it goes much deeper, unlike standard teeth cleaning.
Why Scaling Is Important
Plaque buildup is usually very common in human beings. During food consumption, tiny food particles, sugars, and even acids can build up, thus causing plaque if not adequately addressed. There are often a lot of bacteria in the plaque buildup, and if left unattended, you stand a high chance of contracting gum disease and tooth decay. When your gums are healthy, the tissue fits around the tooth tightly, keeping plaque out. Unfortunately, the tissue quickly loosens when gum disease begins to form.
Gum also causes the teeth to develop deeper pockets, filling with more plaque. When the plaque is too much, you will start suffering from phenomena like bad breath. The dentist uses a metal dental scalar curette to scrape plaque from the tooth. The thin tool is inserted under the gum line to get to the plaque, as your toothbrush will not reach these places. An ultrasonic instrument can also be used to remove plaque. Its vibrating metal tip usually sprays cold water on the tooth.
When the scaling is done, root planning follows. It is done the same way as scaling, just that it goes deeper to deal with the tooth’s root. When root planning is done, the root’s surface becomes smooth, and the gum reattaches properly.
Scaling the tooth is a standard treatment we advise for excellent dental health. When you schedule a dentist’s visit, they can do scaling that can help you fight the unseen plaque.