Scaling / Deep Cleaning
Dental plaque is a biofilm or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky colorless deposit at first, but when it forms tartar, it is often brown or pale yellow. It is commonly found between the teeth, on the front of teeth, behind teeth, on chewing surfaces, along the gum line, or below the gum line cervical margins. Dental plaque is also known as microbial plaque, oral biofilm, dental biofilm, dental plaque biofilm or bacterial plaque biofilm. Bacterial plaque is one of the major causes for dental decay and gum disease.
Progression and build-up of dental plaque can give rise to tooth decay – the localized destruction of the tissues of the tooth by acid produced from the bacterial degradation of fermentable sugar – and periodontal problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis;[2] hence it is important to disrupt the mass of bacteria and remove it.[3] Plaque control and removal can be achieved with correct daily or twice-daily tooth brushing and use of interdental aids such as dental floss and interdental brushes.
Oral hygiene is important as dental biofilms may become acidic causing demineralization of the teeth (also known as dental caries) or harden into dental calculus (also known as tartar).Calculus cannot be removed through tooth brushing or with interdental aids, but only through professional cleaning.
Why do you need to get dental scaling ?
Scaling is done to remove deposits and stains on the teeth. Plaque (or deposits) formation takes place constantly in our mouth even after brushing regularly. A plaque is actually a whitish layer formed due to colonization of bacteria which forms on the tooth surface immediately after brushing.
While brushing, some areas of the tooth like the interdental areas (i.e. areas between two tooth), the lingual surfaces of the teeth and near the third molar region are the areas which doesn’t have good accessibility while regular brushing and are often neglected.
Prolong accumulation of plaque leads to its calcification leading to formation of calculus.
Plaque and calculus formation often tend to cause oral problems like caries (or cavities) and may also lead to periodontal problems like gingivitis and periodontitis leading to weakening of tooth and at times even tooth loss.
Accumulation of stains due to caffeine intake, cigarette smoking etc. can also be cleaned using scaling.
Average time for dental cleaning
A dental cleaning for a patient who has good oral health and maintains excellent oral hygiene at home takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The time can vary, depending on the condition of your teeth and the hygienist’s speed.
How often do you need to do dental cleaning ?
You’ve probably heard how important it is to get a professional teeth cleaning to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease, but how often do you really need to schedule a cleaning? If you have good oral hygiene habits and a healthy mouth, your dentist and dental hygienist will probably suggest professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. Many dental insurance policies will cover two cleanings per year, but few people take full advantage of their benefits. The twice-a-year recommendation isn’t random; there are good reasons behind it.
Do repeated teeth scaling damage our teeth ?
Usually there are no side effects, but patients may experience sensitivity to hot and cold food or drinks.
What is the disadvantage if you did not get dental scaling ?
1. Bleeding during teeth brushing.
2. Swelling gum.
3. Bad breath.
4. Gum recession.
5. Pus from gingivitis.
6. Rocking teeth.
7. Teeth moving apart.
Can patient with haemophilia get the dental scaling ?
The patient with haemophilia should be consulted with treating doctor and dentist regarding treatment plan. The patient might need to stop taking anticoagulant before receive dental scaling in order to prevent the hemorrhagic condition during scaling.
How to prevent Tartar and Plague formation ?
Keeping your oral hygiene could prevent your teeth from plague and tartar. Brushing your teeth correctly especially in proximal area should be perform as daily routine. In addition, you might use dental flossing, rubber tip, proximal brush and gauze strip to stimulate your gum.
Estimated cost
฿800-1,000
- Dental checkup and consultation are free of charge.