Tooth scaling: procedures, risks, benefits and timing of implementation

Healthy and clean teeth certainly make you more confident, right? However, to always be healthy and clean, just brushing your teeth is not enough. There are many choices of dental care at the doctor that you should do regularly, one of which is scaling tooth.

What is that scaling tooth?

Scaling Teeth is a procedure of cleaning tartar using a tool called ultrasonic scaler.

The tartar or tartar itself is a pile of plaque that sticks to and hardens on the surface of the teeth. The tartar makes the teeth appear untreated. The reason is, the hardened plaque tends to be dull in color, can be brownish yellow to black.

Tool ultrasonic scaler will produce vibrations that are able to destroy and knock down the tartar between the teeth to the innermost part of the tooth. Not only that, this tool can also clean tartar in the gum line that is difficult to reach with toothbrush bristles.

When doing scaling, You may feel swollen, painful, or even bleeding gums. This happens because the gums and teeth that are corroded are adjusting to the process scaling so that it returns clean to its original condition.

When do you need to do scaling tooth?

It is not easy to clean tartar with just routine brushing or flossing (dental floss) only. Therefore, you need to see a dentist for the procedure scaling. Scaling can clean even very hard tartar.

You are advised to live scaling once every six months. But for severe cases, for example there have symptoms of gum disease, then scaling can be done as soon as possible or once every three months.

What are the benefits scaling tooth?

Some of the benefits that you can feel after undergoing the whole procedure scaling teeth, including:

• Avoiding the risk of cavities (caries) and other tooth decay
• Avoid the risk of gum disease (periodontitis)
• Removes tooth stains - brown spots on teeth from tea, coffee, or cigarettes
• Avoid bad breath
• Save on future dental care costs

Preparations before scaling tooth

Before carrying out this procedure, the doctor will first check the condition of your teeth and mouth. The doctor will usually ask about the health conditions of your teeth and mouth, as well as your habits in treating teeth.

Don't forget to tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Whether it's food supplements, vitamins, prescription or non-prescription drugs, to herbal medicines. Also tell about any history of diseases and allergies you may have, especially a history of diseases related to blood disorders.

Make sure you explain your health condition clearly and in detail. All this information makes it easy for your doctor to determine the right treatment for your condition.

After that the doctor will immediately check the location of the tartar using the help of a small mirror. If necessary, your doctor may order an X-ray of your teeth to see more details about the condition of your teeth.

Procedure scaling teeth at the doctor

Procedure scaling dentist does not require that you stay in the hospital or make multiple visits. Cleaning the tartar usually only takes about 30 to 120 minutes. Length of time scaling depending on the severity of the tartar. If there is not too much plaque and tartar, then process scaling will be faster.

Several procedures are performed during the process scaling teeth generally include:

• The doctor will provide a local anesthetic to help control pain and bleeding. You will remain conscious, but feel no pain during the process.
• The doctor will do scaling subgingival to remove the crust between the gum and the base of the tooth crown. The doctor will first use ultrasonic scaler, also with scaler manual for cleaning hard-to-reach plaque and tartar.
• If you already have gum disease (periodontitis), your doctor will also perform the procedure root planing to smooth the roots of the teeth so that the gums can stick tightly again.
• The doctor will clean other areas of the teeth and gums to remove any remaining bacteria. You will also be asked to rinse your mouth several times.

Recovery after scaling tooth

After the process scaling finished, you will immediately be allowed to go home. There may be side effects scaling teeth, such as swollen gums and discomfort that will go away after some time. Therefore, the doctor will usually ask you to fast for food and drink, at least 30-60 minutes after scaling.

If needed, the doctor will prescribe pain medication to relieve the annoying pain. Antibiotics and mouthwash (mouthwash) can also be prescribed to prevent infection and speed up the healing process.

Antibiotics must be taken according to doctor's instructions. Do not increase or decrease the dose of the drug arbitrarily. Careless use of antibiotics can have dangerous side effects for your body.

There is a risk if you don't scaling tooth?

Scaling not only cleaning the teeth from tartar, but also preventing the appearance of disease. Here are some of the risks of diseases caused by tartar.

1. Dental problems

The tartar will be a home for many bacteria. These bacteria can cause various dental problems, especially bad breath (halitosis). Bad breath can occur because bad bacteria in the mouth produce sulfur gas (sulfur). As a result, when you open or exhale through your mouth, a strong odor comes out.

In addition, the acids released by bacteria can create cavities. Tooth tartar can also erode the bones that support the teeth and cause loose teeth and even fall out.

2. Gingivitis

The tartar that is allowed to continue to harden can get harder and cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). This condition makes the gums inflamed, swollen, and bleeds easily. Over time, caries or cavities can occur.

3. Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis will get worse and cause gum disease (periodontitis). This disease causes pockets that create a gap between the gums and teeth. When these pockets become filled with bacteria, the immune system naturally releases chemicals to fight these bacteria.

The reaction from chemicals released by the body and bacteria can damage the bones of teeth. Eventually this causes the bones, gums, and the tissue that supports the gums to break down. Without proper treatment, periodontitis can cause tooth loss or loss.

4. Heart disease

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, bacteria that cause gum disease (periodontitis) can also increase the risk of heart disease. The bacteria contained in tartar can infect the supporting tissue of the teeth and can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream, which can affect the heart valves.

When are children allowed scaling tooth?

Not only adults, in fact tartar can also be experienced by children. Tooth tartar can appear when the child's baby teeth are complete. The risk of tartar forming on the teeth tends to increase as the child gets older.

Plaque and tartar on children's teeth usually appear from the age of six or seven years. Apart from tartar, children are also at high risk of caries or tooth decay.

The reason is, at this age children are fond of eating sweet foods, such as candy, cakes, chocolate, and ice cream. Unfortunately, this is not balanced with the habit of brushing your teeth regularly every day. Therefore, children in this age range are more prone to experiencing various dental problems, including tartar.

The good news, scaling can also solve the problem of tartar in children. Procedure scaling does not have a certain age limit. As long as the child already has teeth and their teeth do need to be cleaned. Even so, you should first consult with a pediatric dentist before doing so.

Only the dentist can decide if your child needs to scaling or not. The procedure is the same. While looking at the condition of his mouth, the doctor will ask about the medical history of your little one's teeth. You can tell your doctor about eating habits and how your child can care for oral and dental hygiene.

Confirm procedure scaling performed by pediatric dentists who are experienced in their fields. Experienced pediatric dentists usually have a better understanding of how to make children feel comfortable during the procedure. That way, you don't have to worry about taking your child to the dentist.

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that every child visit the dentist six months after their first tooth grows, and do this regularly every six months. Maintaining healthy teeth since childhood is the key to avoiding tooth decay as an adult.