Keeping your mouth healthy takes everyday effort. But even the most diligent with their daily cleaning still require a regular visit to the dentist for a dental scale and clean. Professional teeth scaling is an essential part of oral care, but what is it, and how does it help?
What is a scale and clean?
A scale and clean is a dental procedure designed to remove stains, plaque and tartar from your teeth. While everyday brushing and flossing achieve the same, there are parts of your mouth which can be hard to properly clean at home. Letting bacteria and plaque build up in these areas can lead to a lot of issues, starting with cavities and developing into gum disease.
Dental scaling is a lot more effective at keeping your teeth free from this buildup. Your dentist uses special instruments to clean the difficult areas. Additionally, a professional scale and polish is the only way to remove plaque that has hardened into tartar.
The benefits of deep cleaning teeth
Deep cleaning and scaling your teeth offers a variety of benefits, ensuring your oral health is maintained. The key advantages of scaling include:
- Oral health. By removing bacteria and plaque buildup, scaling helps to prevent cavities from forming in your teeth. In turn, this prevents the development of gum disease.
- Overall health. Poor oral hygiene is linked with heart disease and other serious conditions. Regularly having your teeth professionally cleaned can lower the risk of developing these conditions.
- Reduces bad breath. Bacteria and plaque can cause persistent bad breath, so removing them through scaling helps keep your mouth fresh.
- Comfortable smile. Removing stains and enjoying a fresher mouth can give you more confidence to smile and show off your bright teeth.
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
In most cases, a visit to the dentist every six months for a scale and clean is a good habit. This gives your dentist the chance to regularly assess your teeth and oral health, give them a thorough clean, and prevent any potential issues from becoming too serious. Regularly going for a check up will also ensure you avoid more expensive and complex treatments.
While six months is typical, your dentist may recommend you visit more frequently if you have pressing oral health concerns. These could include heavy tartar buildup, gum disease, or recently treated conditions. More frequent appointments will give them a better chance to look after your teeth and ensure you stay healthy.
Dentist scale and clean procedure
A scale and clean is one of the more straightforward dental procedures, done in the dental chair without pain. A standard appointment will look like this:
- Inspection. Your dentist or hygienist conducts a thorough check of your teeth and gums to examine how much plaque and calculus — commonly known as tartar — buildup there is on your teeth. This is also time for them to assess whether you have or are at risk of developing gum disease. If your teeth and gums are sensitive or at risk of any issues, your dentist may apply anaesthetic before beginning.
- Scaling. Using a specialised instrument called a teeth scaler, your dentist carefully removes plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. This involves manually scraping away the plaque, or using an ultrasonic scaler with a vibrating tip cooled with water spray, to break down the tartar deposits and remove them from the teeth. These instruments have thin tips to ensure they can reach all areas of the teeth.
- Polishing. Once all of the debris is cleared from your teeth, your dentist polishes the surface of your teeth using gritty toothpaste and a high-powered brush. This removes any remaining surface stains and smooths the surface of your teeth, which makes it harder for plaque to build up.
When patients have gum disease, scaling may also involve another step before polishing known as root planing. This is when the root surfaces of your teeth are smoothed to prevent plaque buildup, and debris is removed from below your gumline. Some scaling procedures may also end with fluoride treatment, applied to the teeth to strengthen them and prevent cavities.
How long does a scale and clean take?
A scale and clean appointment will typically take between 30 minutes and an hour, though it will depend on the amount of plaque and tartar buildup there is on your teeth. Similarly, if a patient has gum disease, they can expect to spend more time in the chair. If you have severe or concerning issues, your dentist may recommend that you visit a few times to ensure your teeth are kept as clean and healthy as possible.
Does scaling hurt?
Scaling is typically pain-free, though it can be slightly uncomfortable at times due to the pressure of instruments. Some sensitivity and discomfort can also be expected once the treatment is done, but this typically subsides in a short amount of time.
Keeping smiles fresh at Oakleigh Dental
Regular scaling and cleaning is a key part of looking after your oral health, helping to keep your teeth clean and prevent a variety of oral health issues. Get in touch with us to learn more about dental scaling or to book your next appointment. We’re always here to support you.
