Dental scaling-what you should know

What is dental scaling/Oral prophylaxis ?

It is an in-office dental procedure that is performed by most dentists to remove plaque (loose debris) and tartar (hardened debris which cannot be removed with regular tooth brushing) from the tooth surfaces both above and below the gums and other stains that may have formed due to nicotine addictions, frequent intake of coffee and tea.

Why should you do Dental Scaling?

The debris from food, which gets accumulated on most teeth surfaces, begins to harden into tartar if not removed immediately from the mouth through thorough rinsing, brushing and flossing. This provides the perfect medium for micro-organisms to harbor on tooth surfaces that later cause symptoms like bleeding and swollen gums, halitosis (foul odor), pocket formations in and around the teeth, and in severe cases, results in bone loss and loosening of teeth.

Recent research has revealed that tartar accumulation poses a risk factor in the development of heart diseases, pre-mature/low-weight birth of infants, strokes, lung diseases and other respiratory infections. The theory has been in circulation for long but neglected by the medical fraternities at large. Today, there is a proven association of total body well-being with oral health supported by new emerging scientific data.

How long does the procedure take?

It is a 15-20 minute procedure, sometimes taking even less, as it is case-specific. In cases of heavy tobacco stains and tartar, some may require two to three sessions.

Is it painful?

Not by most means. A spray type of anesthetic is used to numb the gums prior to commencement of the treatment, so there are no needles involved.

There may be a tingling-pricky kind of feeling if one needs to define the sensation in words. Sometimes, there is occasional bleeding, which again is no cause for worry, since there’s no pain involved and is a natural occurrence.

How often do I have to get it done?

Routine dental scalings are required every nine months. It is again very case-specific. Some may need it every six months and some only every 12 months. It depends on the rate of tartar accumulation, which directly relates to your food habits, cleaning techniques, presence of dental appliances, physiological health conditions, etc.

Post-procedure care?

Most dentists prescribe a chlorhexidine-based mouthwash and/ or Gum paint.
Regular flossing, after-food rinsing, tooth brushing and tongue scraping should be routine oral care methods.

Don’t forget to include oranges and apples in your regular diet to strengthen the gums and reduce inflammation post dental scaling procedures.

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