What is Scale and Polish?
When you eat food, it is converted into starch or sugar, which then combines with bacteria. As this cycle continues, your teeth are placed in a more acidic environment, which can cause stains and damage to the enamel and even the roots.
Sometimes, when you are cleaning your teeth you do not always manage to reach into every nook and cranny. There always seems to be one spot that you overlook or that your brush just can’t quite get into. This weak spot is exactly the sort of spot where the bacteria that attacks your teeth can gather. Normally, bacteria is removed easily by brushing teeth with good toothpaste. However, residues accumulated where toothbrush cannot reach harden, causing tartar formation.
A scale and polish is a quick cleaning of the teeth carried out by your dentist. Usually using something called an Ultrasonic, the dentist will clean around the gum line on the back and front of your teeth to remove any plaque and tartar. Scale and polish usually lasts a few minutes. The treatment is finished by a quick polish of the teeth.
Is Scale and Polish Suitable for me?
You should consider undergoing scaling and polishing to achieve optimum oral health. Once the damage starts setting in, a more complex dental procedure may have to be carried out.
If you are suffering from bad breath, you may think about deep cleaning with scaling and polishing. Bacteria may release certain substances due to their metabolic function and, in turn, cause bad breath. Sometimes bad breath or halitosis is a sign of gum disease.
What are the Benefits of Scale and Polish?
- It removes stains and and harmful plaque from your teeth.
- Regularly scale and polish gives you a lower chance of tooth decay, bleeding gums and gum recession.
- It gives you fresher breath.
- Scale and polish allows you a confident smile.
Which Anesthesia Method is used in the Operation?
Normally you don’t need any anesthesia for scale and polish, but in some cases your dentist applies a local anesthetic to the gums and teeth to minimize discomfort.
What is Scale and Polish Procedure?
First of all, your dentist uses an electric scaler, also it is called ultrasonic scaler, to remove the toughest calculus. It emits a jet of water and also has a very fine tip that vibrates at high speeds. It removes the calculus and clean away the debris lodged between the teeth. Secondly, your dentist cleans the plaque from your teeth in fine detail by using another hand instruments.
Finally, your dentist uses a rotating brush and toothpaste to give your teeth a thorough clean, that means polishing.
Scale and Polish Recovery Process
After scale and polish is completed, you may feel discomfort around the teeth for several days and increased sensitivity to hot and cold (and sometimes sweets) for up to four to six weeks duration. This is a normal course of healing. You should begin to notice a definite improvement in sensitivity within two weeks.
Scale and Polish Aftercare
Avoiding certain foods is recommended.
Don’t eat any hard, gritty foods such as peanuts, popcorn, chips, hard bread.
Also, it is best to avoid hot, spicy foods.
If your dentist prescribes an antibiotic, necessarily use your medication.
You can use special mouthwash to use for a few days or weeks, if your dentist recommended.
When You Should Call Your Dentist?
Following dental scaling and polish, call your dentist immediately if you experience have worsening pain or a fever, or the area doesn’t heal as expected.
How Many Days Needed for the Treatment?
Your treatment can be completed in 1 day.
