Scaling And Polishing

This depends on the oral health and lifestyle factors that varies with each individual. As a general guideline, we recommend 6 monthly visits unless informed otherwise by the dentist. Some of the reasons that could require more frequent professional cleaning include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Tea/Coffee/Wine staining
• History of gum disease or decay
• Bad breath

Yes! Even dentists have to get scaling and polishing done regularly.

There are simply too many hard to access crevices that plaque can accumulate in before we can remove them by brushing and flossing. Once plaque hardens to form tartar, brushing and flossing will be ineffective at removing them and scaling will be required.

However, thorough brushing and cleaning habits will allow us to complete the scaling and polishing treatment in a shorter time.

The ultrasonic scaler that we use produces a high-pitched sound that might sound scary to many, but it actually is a very gentle device. It comprises of a rounded tip that is vibrating at a frequency that dislodges tartar without harming the teeth. It also sprays a cooling mist of water to wash away the plaque and tartar.

If done regularly, scaling and polishing is supposed to have minimum discomfort. Most people find it painless.

Sometimes, stubborn and deep tartar, sore gums or exposed sensitive surfaces of the teeth can result in pain. If it does get unbearable, local anesthetic can be requested. Depending on the situation, we may even recommend that the cleaning be done over several visits.