MEDICAL INSIDER–DR. RHODA ENTERO

Tooth Scaling and Polishing

(Part 1)

All That You Need to Know 

About Tooth Scaling and Polishing

Do you have a gum disease like gingivitis or a periodontal disease like periodontitis? If yes, you might be in need of dental scaling. 

You would know that you have gum disease if when you brush your teeth, your gums bleed on the bristles. 

Actually, gingivitis is a reversible condition, so there are things you can do before resorting to scaling. 

To prevent gingivitis, you need to limit your sugar intake, avoid tobacco consumption, use mouthwash, floss daily, brush twice a day, and replace your toothbrush every 3 months. 

You also need to attend checkups to detect any problems of cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer early on.

You can also use a special extra-strength or all-natural antibacterial mouthwash to treat your gingivitis, relieve bad breath, remove food particles, reduce bacteria, help ease pain, and soothe your inflamed, gums. 

With that said, if you neglect your gingivitis long enough, it can develop to full-blown periodontal disease that will make your teeth loose and wobbly because the condition eats away at the very roots of your teeth. In such extreme cases, dental scaling is a must.

What Is Dental Scaling and Polishing?

Dental scaling and polishing enables your dentist to stave off your ever-worsening gingivitis and maintain your oral hygiene and health at the same time. 

The consistency of your cleanings is essential to prevent dental diseases from developing. 

Polishing is done to finish what scaling started, usually when it comes to teeth stain removal. On that note, your prophylaxis and deep cleaning schedule might end up happening every three months, every month, or every week depending on the severity of your developing periodontal disease. 

You need dental services because antiseptic mouthwash, rinsing, and brushing daily might not be enough to address your issues in the long run.

The procedure of dental scaling and polishing is one carried out by a dentist who’s certified to offer such services. The dental professional is essentially tasked to clean around and under the gum line on the front and back of your teeth for the sake of removing plaque and tartar. Scaling removed the diseased parts of your teeth and gums and polishing is smoothening up those rough edges to foster the dental and gingival healing process. 

At any rate, to avoid having to resort to scaling, you should regularly attend your dental checkups and cleanings for at least every six months or twice a year. (To be continued)