What Is Scaling?

  • Scaling is routinely performed to help patients with gum disease and excessive plaque buildup. While a standard cleaning will address the surface of the tooth, scaling goes much deeper.

Scaling is a common dental procedure for patients with gum disease. This is a type of dental cleaning that reaches the gum line to remove plaque buildup. 
  • The process of scaling and root planning the teeth is often referred to as a deep cleaning.
  • This treatment goes beyond the general cleaning that you receive with your regular checkup and annual visit.

When Is Dental Scaling Necessary?

Everyone experiences some form of plaque buildup. The saliva, bacteria, and proteins in your mouth form a thin layer that covers your teeth at almost all times.

  • When you eat, tiny particles, acids, and sugars from the food stick to this film, creating a buildup on the teeth known as plaque. 
  • The bacteria that live in this plaque can cause gum disease and tooth decay.
  •  Brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings will help remove the plaque and prevent more serious problems.
  • If you have healthy gums, the tissue will fit tightly around the tooth and keep plaque out. 
  • However, if gum disease begins to form, this tissue will loosen. Healthy gums attach to the tooth just 1 to 3 millimetres below the gumline.
  •  With gum disease, you’ll begin to develop deeper pockets. These can fill with plaque, worsening your problems and causing symptoms like bad breath.
  •  Your dentist may choose an ultrasonic instrument to scale your teeth. This features a vibrating metal tip combined with a cool water spray. The tip chips tartar away as the water flushes out the pocket.
  • Dental scaling is typically followed by a procedure known as root planing. Root planing reaches deeper to address the surface of the tooth’s root. This is done in the same manner as scaling. Root planing smooths the surface of the root so the gums can reattach properly.

What Does Scaling Feel Like?

Your dentist may offer a local anaesthetic to numb your gum tissue and make the procedure more comfortable.

Some dentists divide the mouth into four quadrants, while others will perform dental scaling in two halves. If you’re nervous about the process, ask your dentist if you can schedule your scaling for a single visit. 

Your dentist may suggest a desensitizing toothpaste to help ease this discomfort. 

You might get a prescription mouthwash to use after the procedure, as well, to help keep the gums clean. Dental scaling is a very common treatment for patients with gum disease. 

The result is a fresher smile that you’re sure to enjoy.