Find Out What Is Dental Scaling

Dental scaling is a non-surgical procedure performed to clean and remove plaque and coral (tartar) on teeth. This procedure is one of the most common dental care procedures performed. Plaque is a thin yellow or white layer that attaches to the teeth. Plaque is formed when bacteria are mixed with food scraps left in the mouth, especially foods that contain sugar and flour. Plaque left to harden and mix with saliva will trigger the formation of tartar or tartar. Plaque and tartar contain millions of bacteria and if not cleaned regularly, can cause periodontitis, tooth decay, or even tooth loss. Plaque and tartar are difficult to remove with regular brushing, so it requires special measures and tools through dental scaling procedures. In addition to cleaning plaque and tartar, dental scaling is also beneficial for:

• Reducing excess acids and enzymes produced by bacteria in the mouth that can cause tissue damage.
• Reducing the risk of bleeding or tissue swelling resulting from the body's immune response to bacteria on plaque.
• Prevent periodontitis.
• Maintaining healthy teeth and dental bones.

Dental Scaling Indications

Plaque and tartar can generally appear in everyone, both children and adults. The appearance of plaque is usually not realized, because it occurs slowly and does not cause symptoms. However, before plaque and tartar worsens and causes gum and tooth disease (periodontitis and inflammation of the gums), patients should do regular plaque and tartar examinations twice a year. In addition, there are some people who are vulnerable to plaque and tartar formation, including:

• Active smoker.
• Frequently consume foods that contain high sugar and flour, such as candy, chocolate, or cakes.
• Frequent consumption of soda, coffee or tea.
• Do not clean teeth regularly.

Tooth scaling will also be done in patients with chronic periodontitis. Warning:

• Tell your doctor if you have experienced an allergic reaction to the ingredients contained in the anesthetic.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs, supplements, or herbal products, especially blood thinners (anticoagulants). The doctor will advise the patient to temporarily stop using anticoagulant drugs to prevent the risk of bleeding.
• Tell your doctor if you use prosthetic joints. The doctor will give antibiotics to reduce the risk of side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have heart valve disease or use an artificial heart valve.
• Tell your doctor if you have had an organ transplant procedure.

Before Scaling Teeth

There are several preparations that the patient needs to do before undergoing dental scaling, including:

• Medical history check. Before the patient undergoes dental scaling, the doctor will examine the patient's medical history, including a history of allergies or a history of the disease they have. This action is taken to prevent various risks that might occur.
• Check the condition of the teeth and mouth. Next, the doctor will examine and identify the location of plaque and tartar with a special small mirror.

Dental Scaling Procedure

The steps taken by the doctor during the dental scaling procedure include:

• The dentist will provide local anesthesia to relieve pain that may appear during the process of cleaning plaque and tartar.
• The doctor began the process of cleaning tartar by using a scraper device with ultrasonic waves that can emit vibrations and remove plaque and tartar. This tool can also remove cold smoke from water to clean the remaining plaque and tartar.
• After the plaque and corals around the tooth enamel are cleaned, the doctor will use a manual scraper or scaler with a pointed tip to clean the plaque and coral in areas not covered by the ultrasonic scraper.
• During the process of cleaning plaque and tartar, the doctor will ask the patient to rinse and throw it away so that the remaining plaque in the mouth can be lost.
• The last step, the doctor will polish the teeth that have been cleaned with a polishing tool equipped with soft rubber at the edges.

Tooth scaling can be completed in one visit that lasts 30-120 minutes, depending on conditions and the number of plaque and tartar.

After Scaling Teeth

Patients are allowed to go home after undergoing dental scaling. Discomfort in the mouth can be felt by patients due to the influence of the anesthetic that has not completely disappeared. The doctor will ask the patient not to drink and eat for 30-60 minutes after undergoing dental scaling. The doctor will also prescribe oral medication and mouthwash to prevent infection, control pain, and assist the healing process. In addition, the doctor will also schedule the patient to undergo a gum examination and make sure the patient's mouth condition has completely healed. Patients can also do several things to take care of their teeth and reduce the risk of plaque formation. These actions include:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride and triclosan-containing toothpaste. Fluoride can help repair damaged tooth enamel, while triclosan can fight bacteria on plaque.
• Change your toothbrush if the bristles have been damaged.
• Use dental floss to remove plaque that lies between the teeth and prevent the formation of tartar in areas that are difficult to reach.
• Consult your dentist about regular gargling containing antiseptics to help kill plaque-causing bacteria.
• Eat healthy foods and reduce eating sweet and starchy foods.
• Quit smoking.
• Undergo a routine dental examination at least once every 6 months to clean plaque and prevent the risk of dental or gum disease

Risk of Dental Scaling

Dental scaling is one of the safe dental care procedures performed. However, this procedure has several risks that may occur in patients, including:

• Sensitive teeth.
• Infection.
• Pain, swelling, or bleeding in the gums.
• Dry and cracked lips.
• Bacteremia. Increasing the number of bacteria in the blood can trigger sepsis in patients with a low immune system and endocarditis in patients with heart problems.