Dental Hygiene

It is important that good dental hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to keep the mouth and teeth clean and free of disease.  

Everyone experiences some form of plaque buildup.  The saliva, bacteria, and proteins in your mouth form a thin layer that covers your teeth at almost all times.  When you eat, tiny particles, acids, and sugars from the food stick to this film, creating a buildup on the teeth known as plaque.  The bacteria that lives in this plaque can cause gum disease and tooth decay.  Brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings will help remove the plaque and prevent more serious problems. Dental scaling is routinely performed to help patients with gum disease and excessive plaque buildup.  It  is done much deeper compared to standard cleaning which address only the surface of the tooth.

Dental scaling is a common dental procedure for patients with gum disease.  This is a type of dental cleaning that reaches below the gumline to remove plaque buildup.  The process of scaling and root planing the teeth is often referred to as a deep cleaning.  If you have healthy gums, the tissue will fit tightly around the tooth and keep plaque out.  With gum disease, you’ll begin to develop deeper pockets.  These can fill with plaque, worsening your problems and causing symptoms like bad breath and bleeding gums.

Alternately, your dentist may choose an ultrasonic instrument to scale your teeth.  This features a vibrating metal tip combined with a cool water spray.  The tip chips tartar away as the water flushes out the pocket.

In severe cases, dental scaling is typically followed by a procedure known as root planing.  Root planing reaches deeper to address the surface of the tooth’s root.  This is done in the same manner as scaling.  Root planing smoothens the surface of the root so the gums can reattach properly.

Your mouth may feel sore and sensitive after your dental scaling and root planing. Your dentist may suggest a desensitizing toothpaste to help ease this discomfort. You might get a prescription mouthwash to use after the procedure, as well, to help keep the gums clean. It’s crucial that you use proper brushing and flossing procedures after your scaling to stop plaque from forming again in the same areas.  Your dentist may require for rev-visits to check on the progress and condition of your gums.