What are the benefits of teeth scaling?
Teeth scaling, also known as dental scaling, is an essential component of preventative dentistry. When you go for regular dental cleaning, the dental hygienist uses a special scaling tool to scrape off accumulated plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line. Plaque is a whitish film of bacteria on the surface of your teeth — it’s a bacterial hotspot that can increase the risk of gum disease, dental decay, and periodontitis. Furthermore, plaque and tartar can also lead to halitosis, i.e., persistent bad breath. As such, dental scaling is good for teeth and an essential component of your oral health. Below, we describe the unique benefits of teeth scaling.
Avoid Cavities
Plaque is a white, sticky substance layered on the front surface of your teeth and gums. It’s a combination of bacteria, saliva, and other components that attract even more bacteria. The accumulation of plaque leads to bacterial proliferation on your teeth. Over time, bacteria and plaque start eroding the enamel on your teeth, leading to dental decay and cavities. If you go for regular dental cleaning, you can avoid cavities and dental decay, so there’s no need for dental fillings, root canals, and other procedures.
Avoid Gum Disease
Over time, plaque hardens into a yellowish substance known as tartar, which can’t be removed with brushing and flossing. If you don’t go for regular dental cleaning, plaque and tartar accumulate along the gum line, thereby increasing the pockets of space between your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth should have minimal periodontal spaces. If the periodontal pockets expand, more bacteria accumulate on the gum line, leading to gingivitis, periodontitis, and other complications. As such, regular dental cleaning helps you maintain optimal gum health.
Prevent Halitosis
Halitosis is a condition wherein you have persistent bad breath, regardless of how much and how thoroughly your brush and floss your teeth. Plaque and tartar are bacterial hotspots that encourage enamel erosion — bacteria also release certain acids that lead to foul odors. That’s why bacterial accumulation because of plaque and tartar lead to persistent bad breath, which can lead to self-consciousness while speaking. Dental scaling removes plaque and tartar, thereby helping you maintain optimal dental health.
Improve Appearance
Plaque and tartar can also make your teeth appear yellowish and discolored, affecting the cosmetic appearance of your teeth. Furthermore, coffee, tea, and other pigmented beverages can also leave stains on your enamel, making your teeth look yellow. Dental scaling doesn’t whiten your teeth, but it removes all the superficial stains, discoloration, and plaque, making your teeth look cleaner. As such, dental scaling isn’t a cosmetic procedure, but it can lead to minor cosmetic improvements.
Reduce Dental Costs
Most dental problems are chronic, i.e., they worsen if left untreated. And most dental problems start with bacterial accumulation on the teeth and gums, usually because of plaque accumulation. If you don’t go for regular dental cleanings, you may eventually need dental fillings for your cavities. If you still avoid dental treatments, you may eventually need root canals, periodontitis treatment, root planing, tooth extractions, or restorative dentistry. As such, you can minimize your long-term dental costs with regular teeth scaling.
What are teeth scaling and root planning?
Teeth scaling and root planing are the individual components of deep scale cleaning or periodontal scaling. While teeth scaling is a routine part of a preventative dental cleaning, teeth scaling and root planning are performed together when you have periodontitis. Teeth scaling involves using a specialized scaling device to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line. And root planing involves smoothing the roots of your teeth to facilitate gum healing to reduce periodontal pockets. This is a medically necessary procedure.
How often should a dental cleaning and checkup be?
You must go for routine dental cleaning and check-ups once every six months. That’s because it takes around six months for most people to develop a moderate level of plaque and tartar on the teeth and gum line, thus necessitating a dental cleaning. Furthermore, if you go for regular dental checkups every six months, your dentist can identify potential dental problems at the earliest stages to address them before they worsen.
Why is it necessary to have professional teeth cleaning?
Professional teeth cleaning is necessary because it removes months of accumulated plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum line. Once the plaque and tartar are removed, the dentist flosses your teeth and applies a fluoride gel to minimize the risk of bacterial decay for a few months. As such, professional teeth cleaning helps you maintain optimal oral health and prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems.
What happens when plaque & tartar aren’t removed?
When plaque and tartar aren’t removed, they continue spreading across your teeth, leading to increased bacterial proliferation in your mouth. The bacteria eventually erode the enamel, leading to cavities and dental decay. Furthermore, the accumulation of tartar in the gum line leads to gum recession and loose teeth, which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth.
Will dental cleaning help prevent gum disease?
Yes, a dental cleaning significantly reduces the risk of gum disease because it removes all the plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth and gum line. Gum disease occurs because of plaque and tartar in the gum line, so dental cleaning can help you maintain optimal gingival health.
Schedule your dental scaling session today
URBN Dental is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in dental cleaning procedures. We recommend routine dental cleaning once every six months to help you maintain optimal oral health and prevent dental problems and tooth loss. Please schedule your dental scaling session at our dental clinic in Montrose today.