IS DENTAL SCALING REALLY NECESSARY?

Everyday soft deposits called plaque gets accumulated in our teeth which we remove daily while brushing. These deposits are not always fully removed with brushing alone, especially those that settle under the gums and between the teeth. The plaque deposits are home to about a billion of bacteria, some very destructive to teeth and your body. These soft deposits turn into yellowish hard deposits called tartar/ calculus which forms strong adhesion to tooth that it cannot be removed with regular brushing.

Scaling is a procedure to remove the tartar deposits from the teeth and under the gums which when left without cleaning can cause inflammation in your gums leading to loss of tooth bearing bone, spacing between teeth and ultimately loosening of teeth. Scaling done every 6 months strengthens your teeth and prevents the progression of gum diseases.

Myth 1: Scaling damages the enamel of your teeth. Truth : A scaler device used for scaling just causes vibrations with high pressure water spray which only loosens the hard deposits adhered to your teeth. It doesn’t have any cutting or abrading action to damage your enamel which is the strongest part of your whole body. If you believe the device abraded your enamel, it should first cut your gums which is a soft, delicate structure but it doesn’t so this it neither disturbs the enamel.

Myth 2: Scaling causes gap between teeth Truth. : The gap you feel after scaling was the gap created by the tartar deposits. Once the tartar is removed you will be able to make out the gap caused by the deposits and it was not due to the process of scaling as such. Once the deposits are removed your gum can regenerate and close the spaces provided you maintain good home care.

Myth 3: Scaling causes permanent sensitivity Truth: Mild sensitivity do occur after scaling but only for 2 days. Since the root surfaces under the gums were cleaned, mild discomfort for 2 days is Normal.

Myth 4: I see tooth chipping into pieces while doing scaling Truth: The chipping of yellowish hard material is the tartar deposit and not the teeth. As said before, scaling doesn’t cut your teeth, they are just vibrations to loosen the bond between tartar and your tooth.

So please keep away from these old myths about scaling and get it done once every 6 months as a preventive procedure from all dental problems like gum disease and tooth decay. These are mandatory protocols that are followed strictly in most developed countries, let’s all make it a protocol and have a healthy teeth and healthy body. YOUR MOUTH IS THE GATEWAY TO YOUR BODY, GUARD IT AND IT WILL GUARD YOUR BODY FROM MANY ILLNESSES.