When it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth, you’re probably familiar with the basics: daily brushing, flossing, and regular dentist visits. But sometimes, these aren’t enough to keep gum disease at bay. That’s where dental scaling comes into play.
This common treatment, often performed over several appointments, can help tackle unseen plaque and keep your gums healthy. It’s not just about a pleasing smile, but also about keeping gum disease from becoming more serious and recurring.
Dental scaling might sound daunting, especially if you’re concerned about pain. But don’t worry, your dentist is likely to use a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort. And remember, it’s a crucial step towards a cleaner, healthier mouth.
The Importance of Dental Scaling Treatment
Think of dental scaling as a deep cleaning below your gum line, a place where your toothbrush and floss just can’t reach. It’s an essential procedure targeting individuals with gum diseases seeking a remedy extending beyond the result of a typical dental cleaning.
Everyone experiences some form of plaque buildup. Your saliva, bacteria, and proteins form a covering on your teeth, almost all the time. When you’re savouring your favourite food, tiny particles, acids, and sugars from the food stick to this film, resulting in a plaque buildup on your teeth. Over time, the residing bacteria in this plaque can lead to gum disease and even tooth decay. Regular brushing, flossing and dental cleanings are your first line of defense against plaque, but when these measures fall short, dental scaling comes to your rescue.
But, what happens when you’re already battling gum disease? You might notice bleeding gums, or have been diagnosed with gingivitis or other gum problems. This is where a more proactive approach becomes necessary. Dental scaling then becomes an instrumental procedure for such cases by thoroughly cleaning your teeth and gums.
With the dental scaling treatment, your dentist meticulously removes plaque buildup below the gumline, where brushing and flossing can’t usually reach. Along with this, root planing smoothes out the root of your teeth, discouraging further plaque buildup. These processes, jointly labeled as teeth scaling and root planing make an integral component of proactive oral care. If your oral health is what you truly care about, getting your teeth scaled might be a routine you want to consider.
Benefits of Dental Scaling Treatment
Dental scaling treatment, while being a standard part of any diligent oral health routine, offers several salient advantages. Notably, it can help to prevent the onset and progression of gum diseases and eliminate harmful plaque and tartar build-ups.
Preventing Gum Disease
A large chunk of the Canadian population – a staggering 70% – will experience gum disease at some point in their life. Gum disease begins inconspicuously, simply as inflammation in your gum line due to bacterial invasion. Healthy gums are our first line of defense against this hostile takeover by bacteria.
So, how can one fortify this defense line? Regular dental scaling treatments are a proactive way to prevent such conditions from taking hold. If you let the initial inflammation – gingivitis – go untreated, it can escalate to periodontitis, leading to significant tissue damage, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.
A scaling treatment reaches below the gumline, precisely where ordinary brushing and flossing cannot. So, it serves as a critical preventive measure to maintain the health of your gums. It goes beyond the reach of regular checkups and cleanings, making it more profound. Regular teeth scaling can help nip gum disease right in the bud.
Removing Plaque and Tartar Build-up
We’ve all had the experience of plaque build-up. You munch on a snack or sip your coffee, later noticing a thin, almost invisible layer coating your teeth. This layer, composed of saliva, bacteria, and proteins, becomes the foundation for plaque formation – a fertile breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
If you don’t address this plaque in time, it hardens into tartar, both above and below your gum line. Regular brushing or flossing won’t do you much good against this stubborn tartar. Here’s where dental scaling treatments step into the picture.
During a tooth scaling procedure, the dentist or dental hygienist will employ tools to remove these hardened deposits of plaque and tartar on your teeth. They smooth any rough spots on your tooth roots that could otherwise trap and house bacteria, contributing to gum disease.
What to Expect During a Dental Scaling Treatment
Initial Examination
Before diving into the deep clean, an essential first step is a brief dental exam. This allows your dentist to determine the severity of the tartar, plaque, or other build-ups that may be compromising your oral health. You might discover hidden problem areas in need of special attention. Be sure to discuss any oral health concerns with your dentist so they can adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Remember, scaling isn’t just preventive – it’s a corrective measure aiming to restore your oral health.
Scaling Procedure
Once the initial examination is completed, the actual scaling process begins. Your dentist might opt to use a local anesthetic in the form of a topical cream to numb the area being treated.
There are two main methods for dental scaling. In one method, an ultrasonic instrument with a vibrating metal tip chisels away tartar while a cool water spray flushes out the pocket. On the other hand, your dentist might use a handheld instrument called a curette. This small tool is used below your gum line to gently scrape away the plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach.
Dental scaling is typically followed by root planing. This process further diminishes gum disease by smoothing the surface of the tooth’s root, enabling the gums to properly reattach. The goal here is to sterilize the environment, eliminating bacterial intruders to help your gums heal.
Aftercare Tips
Maintaining oral health doesn’t simply end with a scaling treatment. Aftercare plays a vital role in ensuring the effectiveness of the scaling and root planing procedures.
Initially, it’s normal to experience some dental sensitivity and minor gum discomfort once the anesthetic wears off. Over-the-counter pain relievers can alleviate discomfort, but make sure to discuss this with your dentist for personal recommendations.
Also, prioritize a meticulous daily oral hygiene routine – brushing, flossing, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash. These practices not only maintain the results of your dental scaling treatment, but also prevent new plaque and tartar build-ups.
Going forward, consider scheduling regular dental cleanings at Dentistry on Wellington more often. For individuals exposed to gum diseases like gingivitis, it’s suggested to have a deep cleaning 4 times a year. Regular visits to the dentist can prevent gum diseases from progressing further, keeping your teeth and gums healthy and your smile brightest!
Dr. Thapar is a highly skilled and passionate dentist who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his practice in Toronto. With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree specializing in Health Services Management from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business and a dental degree from the prestigious University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, he is dedicated to providing exceptional dental care to his patients.
During the initial years of his career, Dr. Thapar served under serviced areas in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), gaining valuable experience and contributing to improving oral health in underserved communities. Now, he is excited to bring his enthusiasm and commitment to excellence to the heart of Toronto in the St. Lawrence Market Neighborhood.
Dr. Thapar is a proud member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, the Ontario Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Tau Tau Chapter, which places him in the top 10% of graduating dentists of his class. Membership in these organizations reflects his dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry and providing his patients with the highest quality of care.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Thapar is an avid sports fan, particularly supporting the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Raptors. When he’s not in the office, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children, creating cherished memories together.
With his exceptional qualifications, commitment to community service, and passion for dentistry, Dr. Thapar is dedicated to delivering personalized and compassionate dental care to the residents of Toronto. Patients can trust in his expertise and expect a comfortable and enjoyable dental experience under his care.