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Written By: Admin | Updated : March 4, 2014 7:26 PM IST
Plaque and tartar (dirty-looking mineral deposits) on the teeth near the gums are most often the cause for gum disease. During your visit to the dentist, you might have heard him/her suggesting that you get 'scaling', 'professional cleaning', or 'oral prophylaxis' done. If you're wondering what it is and if it necessary that you get it done, you should read this post.
Why is 'scaling' or 'professional cleaning' necessary?
The procedure is necessary to remove the plaque and tartar (grey, yellow, brown hard deposits on the teeth near the gums) which are one of the major reasons that cause gum disease.
A few minutes after brushing, a very thin layer made up of saliva, proteins, and bacteria (also called the pellicle) is formed on the tooth surface which acts as a base for bacterial attachment and growth. Within a few hours the accumulation of various species of bacteria along with sugar from the food we eat results in formation of a pale yellow or white sticky substance known as dental plaque. This if left on the teeth can attract minerals from the saliva and harden causing tartar. Both these are detrimental for the health of the gums and can cause gum disease, which on progressing, can manifest as periodontal disease.
Professional cleaning or scaling helps remove these and reverses gum disease or prevents the progression to periodontal disease.
Read: Gum disease doesn't always need surgery
How often should you get it done?
Your dentist will be the best judge of how often you need to get it done. Most dentists recommend a twice a year routine. If you maintain your oral hygiene exceptionally well, some of them recommend that you get it done once a year.
How is it done?
In the early days, dentists used manual instruments for the procedure. This was time consuming and labour intensive. With the advent of technology, ultrasonic scalers are now being increasingly used. The ultrasonic scaler consists of a hand-piece with a variety of tips which are used depending on the type of tartar being removed. The tips vibrate at a very fast rate and are cooled down by a water spray.
Will it be painful? Will there be bleeding?
If there are only superficial tartar deposits, it may not be painful. If there are deep deposits, your dentist will usually use local anaesthesia before the procedure.
There may be slight bleeding as the plaque and tartar usually cause gum inflammation and touching highly inflamed gums can cause bleeding.
Is there any harm in getting it done?
If your general health is good, there is no real 'harm' in getting it done. Sometimes, the teeth may become sensitive after a scaling session as a very small amount of enamel (the outermost layer of the tooth) and cementum (outermost layer of the teeth) may be lost.
I've heard that teeth become loose after the procedure. Is it true?
This is a common myth. The tooth may appear to be 'loose' after the procedure especially if you are suffering from periodontal disease. However, this isn't because of the procedure. Even though there is loss of supporting structures like the gums and bone, the tartar surrounding the teeth may hold the teeth together and give a false sense of stability. When this tartar is removed, the teeth lose their 'faux anchors' and may appear loose.
Read: Surgical options to treat gum disease
Will it be enough to reverse my gum disease?
In case of initial stages of gum disease, scaling may be all you need. However, if the gum disease has progressed to further stages like periodontitis, further treatment may be required.
Are there any precautions to be taken before and after scaling?
Since scaling dislodges tartar which contain bacteria, people with reduced immunity (suffering from cancer, HIV etc) or heart disease may be advised to start a course of antibiotics before the procedure.
If your dentist is planning deeper cleaning and if you're suffering from bleeding or clotting disorders, have undergone any major surgeries, have uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, are on regular medication for any condition, it is better to consult your doctor before opting for the procedure.
Read: Treating gum disease with lasers
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