It Only Sounds Scary: What To Expect With A Dental Scaling

You might have heard of people having a dental scaling and wondered why that would need to happen. Every time you get your teeth cleaned, your teeth are scaled — to a certain degree. Like most things, the actual dental scaling procedure is no big deal and it certainly should not be painful or uncomfortable. To find out what scaling can do for your teeth and gums and what happens during one, read on. 

What Can a Scaling Do for Your Teeth?

When bacteria are left too long on your teeth, plaque and tartar can form. This substance can then go on to cause cavities and gum diseases. Infections in the gums can, in some cases, become life-threatening. A dental scaling removes all the nasty build-up that your usual brushing and flossing can't remove. While a professional cleaning from a dental hygienist is thorough, dental scaling can get all the tartar and plaque from your teeth and gums. 

What Happens During a Dental Scaling?

Those who have had other dental procedures like a filling can compare it to a dental scaling. In most cases, your dentist will numb you, and you can also ask for a sedative to take ahead of time if you have anxiety about the procedure. It's important to talk over anesthesia choices with your dentist so you can know how to be prepared when the appointment time comes. 

In many ways, scaling is just a more rigorous, deep cleaning that is meant to remove hard-to-remove stuff like plaque and tartar. These materials are hard and extremely sticky, and the usual dental instruments are inadequate. The dentist, instead, uses one or two methods to remove the layers of built-up substances on the surfaces of your teeth. Some dentists use manual instruments, but many now use an ultrasonic cleaner that does the job far more efficiently. 

Unfortunately, tartar and plaque don't just attack your teeth, but they can get below the gum line, too. That means that part of the scaling procedure entails removing the bad guys from your gum line and just below your gum line. That can leave your gums a little sore for a day or so, but it's well worth the minor discomfort to rid yourself of the tartar, plaque, and bacteria. Talk to your dentist about over-the-counter pain relief and what to eat and drink to avoid irritating your gums further. To find out more about what to expect with your dental scaling, speak to a dentist near you.

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