It is performed by either your dentist or your hygienist and usually takes no longer than a 20-30-minute appointment. This treatment is beneficial to everyone and highly recommended by the Ascent Dental Care professionals to keep your smile healthy. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of a scale and polish and what it entails.
What is a scale and polish?
Plaque and tartar build-up are an inevitable part of life, no matter how well or often you clean your teeth. Once this builds up too much, you should consider going for a scale and polish the next time you visit your dentist.
Scaling is the process of your dentist removing the excess plaque, tartar and other debris that has formed over a period of time from your teeth. This is done by scraping away the layers of plaque that have developed over time. This procedure is very beneficial and painless, and as the build-up of plaque and tartar can only be properly removed by your dentist or hygienist, it is essential that you get a scale and polish if recommended to you.
What to expect from a scale and polish?
The first stage of this procedure involves scraping the deposits of plaque and tartar away from your teeth, using a piece of equipment called an ‘ultrasound scaler’. This gets rid of the bulk of the build-up and is followed up by smaller handheld instruments to remove the excess.
After this, the tooth requires a ‘polish’ to make the surface smooth. 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.
The benefits of a scale and polish
A scale and polish is a great way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It removes tartar and plaque build ups and leaves your teeth feeling fresh and clean. However, there are more than a few benefits from receiving a scale and polish.
- Getting rid of bad breath: Bad breath can be eliminated or significantly reduced from receiving a scale and polish as it gets rid of the bacteria that is producing the smell in the first place. Tartar build-up is often the leading cause of bad breath so having this removed at the source is an excellent way to having fresh breath again!
- Reduces the risk of heart diseases: Many studies have been performed surrounding the correlation between good oral hygiene and good overall health. Conditions such as gingivitis and gum disease have been linked to directly negatively affecting the cardiovascular system. Simply brushing your teeth and regular dental check-ups can greatly reduce your risk of ailments such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and strokes.
- Saves you money: You could save a lot of money by looking after your teeth. Fillings, tooth extractions, crowns, implants, and any other dental treatment can add up to a considerable sum over a long time. The best way to avoid this is by regularly brushing and having a scale and polish whenever possible. Even if you develop a cavity in your teeth, spotting it whilst it is small will mean a much less expensive trip than if you were to fill in a big cavity
