Prevent gum diseases with dental scaling

Dentists recommend the procedure of deep cleaning of teeth, also called teeth scaling and root planing, for removal of plaque deposited at the gum pocket. For the process, an instrument called an ultrasonic cleaner is used. The procedure of the scaling involves taking off the tartar for smooth appearance and averting dental complications.


According to American Dental Association (ADA), gum tissues remain healthy when the shallow groove is limited to 3 millimetres within teeth and gums. If the grove deepens beyond this limit, there is a risk of periodontal disease affecting gum pockets. In the periodontal disease, gum pockets amass more plaque than usual, which is impossible to remove during regular brushing of teeth.

Procedure of Teeth Scaling

Scaling of teeth is usually done for specific part of mouth, as mouth needs to be numb for carrying out the procedure. In the procedure, dentists make use of several ultrasonic scalers and hand tools for scaling. These advanced instruments are integrated with a dull vibrating tip for removing calculus besides a water jet that wash off plaque along with debris. In order to get rid of remaining deposits, ultrasonic cleaning is done in tandem with hand instruments. Thereafter, dentist makes use of other set of dental instruments to plane the root for smoothness.

Associated Risks

Periodontal disease is among most prominent infections associated with deposition of plaque around gum pockets. Plaque is a deposition of bacteria and pieces of foodstuffs, which eventually leads to gum inflammation. If the condition is ignored for long, stage of advanced periodontitis become inevitable when plaque reaches roots of the teeth. It could also result in loosening of teeth.

Important Considerations for Scaling Teeth

After teeth scaling, gums could become tender for quite some time. Besides, there is another possibility of teeth appearing longer than usual due to subsidised inflammation. In this scenario, teeth become more sensitive to heat and cold, making it difficult to eat foodstuffs. For this reason, dentists suggest usage of fluoride gel for preventing cavities on revealed roots. In the scenario of excessive bleeding, discomfort and inflammation after procedure of teeth scaling, visiting a dentist is advised. Scaling along with regular brushing, flossing and cleaning will keep your teeth strong and healthy.

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