Even after regular brushing and flossing, there could still be the accumulation of tartar, plaque, and biofilm from both the tooth surface and underneath the gum line. Also, Tobacco, caffeine, wine and other such foods tend to stain teeth over time, and the counter teeth whitening products can only do a temporary job. The accumulation of plaque is quite unsightly and can spoil the appearance of your pearly whites. Bacteria and germs can grow in the plaque that accumulates around teeth, and this can cause dental complications such as gingivitis.

Due to this, it is essential to schedule a visit to a qualified dentist to get your teeth cleaned by scaling and polishing not only for aesthetic purposes but also for health purpose.

Scaling and polishing, also commonly known as teeth cleaning is one of the most fundamental dental treatment.

“Scaling” is the process of removing hardened plaque and tartar (calculus) stuck to your teeth using our ultrasonic scalers. This instrument removes unwanted dirt by knocking them out using its ultrasonic vibrations. It can remove tartar way faster than just using manual hand scaler in the past. “Polishing” on the other hand is the use of a spinning polishing cup/brush to remove plaque and stains on the surface of your teeth.

After the scaling and polishing session, the dentist may apply a concentrated fluoridated gel on the teeth, if required. This gel comes in various flavors such as raspberry, and the purpose of this gel is to help in the prevention of tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria in our mouth.

In the past, many people avoid scaling and polishing because they believe that scraping the teeth is bad, or because they experienced sensitivity or receding gums after treatment. However, these are just ordinary misconceptions. There is no cause for worries when you are in the hands of qualified professionals who are trained to perform this task without causing any harm to your teeth.

Why do we need Scaling and Polishing

1. To remove stains caused by food (coffee/tea) or tobacco.

2. To remove tartar or calculus – this helps prevent gum diseases which are the leading cause of gum recession, loose teeth and subsequently, tooth loss.

3. To allow screening for any oral disease, decay, and any cavities.

4. To learn about how best to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Frequency for Scaling and Polishing of The Tooth

Many factors determine how often you should have your teeth cleaned, and the most crucial element will be the condition of your oral hygiene. Length of dental maintenance intervals is customized according to each’s oral health. Remember, your dentist can only help you when you come for your appointment. Early intervention and preventive treatment is the best option to protect your teeth. Although the most common answer to the big question of how often we should visit the dentist for scaling and polishing, will be once every 4-6 months, this may not always be true.

All-on-4 Implants In Singapore: Everything You Need To Know

What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants? Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth due to tooth decay, gum disease, and dental injuries amongst others. All-on-4 dental implants are a complete set of implants meant to replace your entire row of teeth. This may apply...

What Exactly Is A Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure to replace a damaged tooth or infected pulp with a filling. Root canal therapy is performed when the pulp which is composed of nerves and blood vessels in the tooth becomes infected or damaged. It is one of the most common...

How Much Dental Bridge Cost?

One or more missing teeth can adversely affect the appearance and functionality of your smile. Missing teeth can cause a change in occlusion (bite), shifting of the teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), speech impediments, an increased risk for periodontal...

Looking For Invisible Braces To Straighten Your Teeth?

In the past years, many orthodontists have seen a significant increase in the population of adults opting for orthodontic treatment. Much of these developments is related to an increased awareness and importance placed on cosmetics and dental health. However, clear or...

Things to Know Before Getting Teeth Whitening

Smile is an important social asset. An attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex. Some people feel an unattractive smile can hinder a person’s career opportunity. In our society today, many people suffer from dental discoloration to...

Getting Fluoride Treatment? Here’s What You Need To Know.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that can be found in many kinds of food and also in water. It is an important mineral that keeps tooth decay at bay. Fluoride, also the calcium in our teeth is lost through a process known as demineralisation where the enamel layer of the...

Different Types Of Tooth Replacements Available.

In the past, it may not have mattered if people lost their teeth, especially those in the front. Never the less, attempts were made in the past to replace missing teeth, and archeological evidence suggests that indeed people in antiquity did wear “artificial” teeth,...

Laser Teeth Whitening Explained

In today’s world, whitening of teeth is a prevailing restorative procedure that is non-invasive and produces beautiful very attractive white teeth. When we begin to advance in age, it is logical for our teeth to darken and it is caused when the mineral structures in...

What Are Digital Dental X-Rays?

It's quite obvious right now in the radiology field that old-school, analog image acquisition and processing using films are about as inefficient as imaging can get. Most people also know that there are multiple ways to take your imaging into the digital age. Digital...

Getting a Tooth Filling At The Dentist

Tooth filling is a treatment to restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure which results from caries or external trauma as well as to the replacement of such structure supported by dental implants. Tooth fillings are most commonly used...