DR. RHODA ENTERO–MED INSIDER

Tooth Scaling and Polishing

(Part 3)

We continue our discussion of Plaque, Tartar, Gingivities,  and Periodontal Disease as part of tooth scaling and polishing.

Plaque Buildup and Tartar: Plaque buildup that has turned into tartar or film that has calcium deposits on it will require a dentist to do scale them with special tools. 

Afterwards, your dentist should then polish the rest of your teeth clean of plaque and tartar, thus encouraging the healing process and a fresh beginning. 

The idea here is to stave off the progress of your periodontal disease by scraping off the diseased portions of your tooth root and gums so that they can be replaced with healthy tissue.

Bacteria in Plaque: When you scratch that plaque off of your teeth and eat it, please don’t. It’s because the bacteria in your mouth lives in plaque. It’s both their home and their food source, like their personal gingerbread house.  Sugars, acids, and tiny food particles all go into the plaque that bacteria eats, which in turn has them produce or arguably defecate acid that gives your teeth cavities. It’s also these bacteria that can cause gum disease like gingivitis along with tooth decay. 

Keep in mind that you can avoid all of these problems simply by getting regular dental cleanings, brushing, and flossing.

How Gingivitis Makes Everything Worse: If left unaddressed or ignored, your gum disease will become full-blown periodontal disease. Healthy gums are what you need in order to keep the plaque out while fitting tightly around your teeth’s root and surface. These gums attach to the tooth from1-3 millimeters below the gum line. Once your gums start becoming diseased, this tissue will loosen and bacterial pockets will form around the gaps.

Deep Bacterial Pockets: Bacterial pockets from loosened gums are a Petri dish of awfulness that tends to get filled with plaque, thus worsening your problems, giving you bad breath, and ultimately loosening your teeth’s anchor to your jawbone. You can’t reverse gum tissue that’s already gotten a bacterial infection. The most you can do is take an antibiotic, gargle with antibacterial mouthwash, and then have your dentist remove the diseased gum and teeth tissue in the hopes that healthy tissue can take their place.