Dental scaling is a non-surgical procedure performed to clean and remove plaque and tartar on the teeth. This procedure is one of the most common dental procedures performed.
Plaque is a thin, yellow or white layer that sticks to the teeth. Plaque forms when bacteria mix with food debris left in the mouth, especially foods that contain sugar and flour. Plaque that is allowed 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 lead to periodontitis, tooth decay, or even tooth loss.
Plaque and tartar are difficult to remove with regular brushing, so they require special measures and tools through a dental scaling procedure. In addition to cleaning plaque and tartar, dental scaling is also beneficial for:
- Reduces excess acid and enzymes produced by bacteria in the mouth that can cause tissue damage.
- Reduces the risk of bleeding or tissue swelling as a result of the body's immune response to bacteria in plaque.
- Prevent periodontitis.
- Maintain healthy teeth and teeth.
Dental Scaling Indications
Plaque and tartar generally can appear in everyone, both children and adults. The appearance of plaque usually goes unnoticed, because it occurs slowly and causes no symptoms. However, before plaque and tartar worsens and causes gum and tooth disease (periodontitis and gingivitis), patients should have regular plaque and tartar checks twice a year.
In addition, there are some people who are prone to the formation of plaque and tartar, including:
- Active smoker.
- Often eat foods that are high in sugar and flour, such as candy, chocolate, or cake.
- Frequent consumption of soda, coffee, or tea.
- Not cleaning teeth regularly.
Dental scaling will also be performed in patients with chronic periodontitis.
Warning:
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the anesthetic.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, supplements, or herbal products, especially blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants). The doctor will advise the patient to temporarily stop taking anticoagulant drugs to prevent the risk of bleeding.
- Tell your doctor if you are using an artificial (prosthetic) joint. The doctor will give antibiotics to reduce the risk of side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you have valvular heart disease or are using an artificial heart valve.
- Tell your doctor if you have had an organ transplant procedure.
Before Dental Scaling
There are several preparations that patients need to do before undergoing dental scaling, including:
- Medical history check.Before the patient undergoes dental scaling, the doctor will check the patient's medical history, including a history of allergies or medical history. This action is taken to prevent various risks that may occur.
- Examination of 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 that doctors take during a dental scaling procedure, include:
- The dentist will give a local anesthetic to relieve pain that may arise during the plaque and tartar removal process.
- The doctor began the process of cleaning tartar using an scraper with ultrasonic waves that can emit vibrations and remove plaque and tartar. This tool can also emit cold smoke from the water to clean the remaining plaque and tartar.
- After the plaque and tartar around the tooth enamel are cleaned, the doctor will use a manual scraper or scaler with a pointed tip to remove plaque and coral in areas where ultrasonic scrapers cannot reach.
- During the process of cleaning plaque and tartar, the doctor will ask the patient to rinse his mouth and remove it so that the remaining plaque in the mouth can be removed.
- The last step, the doctor will polish the teeth that have been cleaned with a polishing tool equipped with soft rubber at the end.
Dental scaling can be completed in one visit lasting 30-120 minutes, depending on the condition and amount of plaque and tartar.
After Tooth Scaling
The patient was allowed to go home after undergoing dental scaling. The patient can feel discomfort in the mouth 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 help the healing process.
In addition, the doctor will also schedule the patient to undergo a gum examination and ensure that the patient's oral condition has fully 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 toothpaste containing fluoride and triclosan. Fluoride can help repair damaged tooth enamel, while triclosan can fight bacteria in plaque.
- Replace the toothbrush if the bristles are damaged.
- Use dental floss to remove plaque between your teeth and prevent tartar from forming in hard-to-reach areas.
- Talk to your dentist about a regular gargle containing an antiseptic to help kill plaque-causing bacteria.
- Eat healthy foods and eat less sugary and starchy foods.
- Quit smoking.
- Undergo regular dental checkups at least every 6 months to clean plaque and prevent the risk of dental or gum disease.
Dental Scaling Risk
Dental scaling is a safe dental procedure. However, this procedure has several risks that may occur to the patient, including:
- Sensitive teeth.
- Infection.
- Pain, swelling, or bleeding in the gums.
- Dry and chapped lips.
- Bacteremia. Increasing the number of bacteria in the blood can trigger sepsis in patients with low immune systems and endocarditis in patients with heart problems.