2024-09-15T05:55:55
Who likes stained and dirty teeth? Who likes bad breath? Decoding scaling and polishing (teeth cleaning)- Scaling and polishing is a dental procedure done to clean off the extrinsic stains and tartar that form on the teeth. It makes the tooth surface free from bacterial plaque, food debris as well as provides a smooth, polished surface to the teeth. When the soft plaque and debris do not get cleaned completely by regular brushing, they harden due to calcification to form a layer called tartar. Tartar formation is a natural process and hence removal of tartar with scaling and polishing by a dentist is recommended. Scaling or teeth cleaning promotes a healthy bacterial ecosystem in the mouth that maintain good oral health as well as prevents harmful bacteria to enter the system. Teeth cleaning is like a dental insurance, it helps diagnose hidden cavities that do not cause pain in an incipient stage. How frequently should scaling and polishing be done? Scaling and polishing should be done once a year. Regular scaling and polishing makes the gums healthy and prevents gum bleeding, which is the first sign of gum disease. Do teeth become weak due to scaling and polishing? No. Scaling and polishing uses high speed gentle ultrasonic vibrations alongwith a water spray to detach the superficially adhering tartar on teeth. It does not involve any drilling or scraping of the tooth surface. Visit your Dentist for a check up and teeth cleaning if you haven't visited for more than a year.