TEETH CLEANING

Plaque is soft deposit on teeth and can be removed with normal brushing and flossing if performed adequately and regularly.

The calculus, also known as tartar, on other hand are hard yellowish deposits and are resilient to removal with daily brushing and flossing and required professional removal. If not removed, they let more plaque accumulation and stain deposition on its irregular surface which further leads to periodontal breakdown.

Stains are light brown to black colored tenacious layer on the outer surface of teeth and restorations. Most of the stains of tobacco smoking and food and beverages like coffee stains need professional removal.

There is mainly two methods to do prophylaxis scaling of teeth, manual scaling and ultrasonic scaling. The purpose of both are almost the same to remove the yellowish calculus from teeth from teeth and all dental restorations. Ultrasonic scaling is more efficient way to remove calculus from all surfaces of teeth in a short period. This method is efficiently used in our clinic by our expert dentists.

Scaling and root planing, which is more of a deep cleaning method is usually performed in the patients who have periodontal disease. It is performed when a dentist analyzes that the calculus deposits are deep in the gums, not only on teeth but also on the roots of teeth and need extensive cleaning. Deep cleaning method usually takes longer than usual time and sometimes in extremely difficult cases dentists can also advise you multiple session cleaning. It also leads to more discomfort and more bleeding from gums. Topical and local anesthesia can help to reduce this discomfort during the cleaning.

Dental polishing removes the plaque and stains after scaling leading to smooth and shiny teeth surface. In certain cases polishing after scaling is not necessary and can be determined by your dentist so this step can be skipped in order to avoid any post scaling sensitivity.

Teeth become sensitive and gums can bleed during procedure. Sensitivity usually disappears in couple of days. Some people also complain of gaps among teeth but they are not created by scaling. These gaps have been created by calculus deposits and loss of bone support which had earlier been filled by debris so were not visible.

Although scaling and polishing leave your teeth looking and feeling cleaner, they won't necessarily whiten them in the way that a teeth whitening treatment could.

If you havent received any scaling and polishing from past 6 months, now is the right time!