Scale and Polish | Benson Dental Practice (2024)

FAQs

How many times should I scale and polish my teeth? ›

If you have any questions about your oral health routine or have a dental issue that needs to be addressed, please contact our team at Glandwr. We will do our best to assist you. A teeth scale and polish is essential if you're hoping to keep the best oral hygiene possible, and should be done around every 6 months.

This process leaves the teeth looking shiny and bright but also plays another role. The polish also gets rid of any imperfections and rough patches, so tartar will struggle to grow again. A scale and polish is a great way to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Teeth are polished only if stains are present which scaling was unable to remove. This means that during cleaning procedures either some, all or none of the teeth may be polished. Currently, the dentists and hygienists have varied options regarding the abrasive/polishing agents and type of polishers used.

A scale and polish can be done by your dentist or hygienist. The first 'scrape' stage removes the deposits of plaque and tartar. Often an ultrasound scraper is used first to get rid of the bulk of the tartar, followed by specialised hand held instruments to scrape away any stubborn remains.

Here are some care tips after scaling and polishing: Refrain from eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes after the procedure to allow the treated areas to settle and heal. Avoid hot or spicy foods initially, as they might cause discomfort.

Although a scale and polish can help to leave your teeth looking and feeling cleaner, they won't necessarily whiten them in the way that a teeth whitening treatment could. A thorough scale and polish can remove built-up tartar and remove some stains, which may make your smile brighter.

For years, dentists have insisted that a traditional scale and polish is an essential part of proper oral hygiene. But the often costly service may be unnecessary for those with good teeth after evidence found it makes 'no difference' to dental health.

There is risk of infection with scaling and root planing because of the bacteria that is cleaned out during the procedure. With a deep cleaning treatment, sometimes bacteria can be released into the bloodstream during the process. Scaling and root planing may cause some discomfort.

A scale and polish is not primarily designed to whiten the teeth, as that is what teeth whitening treatments are for. With that said however, a scale and polish will in fact leave the teeth looking smooth, shiny, and whiter after the treatment.

Are teeth whiter after scaling? ›

After scaling, your hygienist will use a polishing tool and a professional-grade, grittier toothpaste to remove residue and mild surface stains. After a dental cleaning, your teeth will definitely feel smoother and polished, and appear whiter and shinier.

You should stick with a softer diet until chewing becomes more convenient. After the numbness wears off, you can resume your regular diet. Avoid sticky, hard (popcorn, nuts, ice cubes, chips), acidic, spicy, brittle or highly seasoned foods.

Scaling removes tartar (or calculus), which will reduce tooth decay. Scaling can reverse gingivitis before it turns into more serious gum disease. After the scaling and planing procedures, your teeth will be free from tartar, plaque, and bacteria.

Airflow uses a controlled but powerful jet of water as opposed to the scraping tools used in a traditional scale and polish and is a fast and non-invasive way of cleaning teeth. Using Airflow, your dentist can clean deep pockets and interdental areas, reaching into periodontal pockets of up to 5mm in depth.

Using hydrogen peroxide in caring for teeth and gums eliminates harmful bacteria. This cuts down the formation of plaque and tartar. This powerful antiseptic can deteriorate the bacteria in plaque. Some dentists use hydrogen peroxide as a more efficient way to remove the plaque and tartar from teeth.

Myth: Scaling of teeth is a painful procedure? Fact: contrary to a popular belief, scaling is a virtually painless procedure, with just a feeling of mild scraping and vibrating sensation on the teeth when the scaling is being done. Hence, one should get scaling/cleaning of teeth twice a year.

Dental Scaling would help you to keep smiling for a long period of time. It would remove all the causes of tooth decay from your teeth. This process would also make sure that your teeth do not have any bacteria that can eat up your teeth and leave you with a tooth gap smile that does not look attractive to anybody.

The frequency of tooth scaling and root planing depends on the severity of your oral health. Generally, if you have healthy teeth and gums, you may only need these procedures once every few years. However, if you have periodontal disease or other serious dental issues, then more frequent treatments may be necessary.

Scaling and root planing work every six months at the most. Your dentist can review your smile and determine if you require a scaling and planing service. You will likely require scaling and planing in most situations, as the plaque that forms on your teeth can spread without much effort.