Is Scaling good for kids?

Many parents are concerned about their child gum disease and tooth decay. Plaque and bacteria buildup cause the majority of dental disease, which should be checked every six months. Frequent dental exams enable problems to be identified and addressed early on. Untreated gum disease and decay can have serious consequences, including pain, costly procedures, and even tooth loss. We believe that dental diseases, such as tooth decay and gum disease, can be avoided with proper home care and routine preventative care visits.

Of course, flossing, brushing, and fluoride rinsing twice daily are the best ways to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. However, no matter how diligently a patient flosses or brushes their teeth, there may be hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to keep clean—especially if there is a lot of buildup. These difficult-to-reach areas where plaque bacteria commonly accumulate may eventually mineralize to form a tough, calcified deposit known as calculus or tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by simply brushing. If tartar is not removed, it can cause more plaque to accumulate around the tooth and under the gum line, accelerating the progression of gum disease and decay.

Scaling and polishing are two of the most common prophylactic dental procedures (or prevention of disease).

Scaling and Polishing Dissection

The'scaling' stage removes hardened plaque and tartar deposits. A scaler is used to gently dislodge any hardened tartar and remove any plaque from the gum line.

The teeth are then 'polished' to remove any plaque that has remained after scaling. It also aids in the removal of stains on the teeth caused by daily diet and habits. While polishing removes stains and makes teeth shine, it is more than just a cosmetic procedure. Polishing will also help to smooth the enamel, making sticky plaque adhere to the tooth more difficult. This is also an excellent time to use a professional fluoride treatment because there will be no plaque to prevent absorption into the teeth.

Older patients who develop gum disease may have more tartar buildup beneath the gum line, necessitating a more complex and thorough scaling procedure. In this case, one of our dentists may recommend that a patient undergo a more thorough cleaning known as periodontal scaling. This may necessitate additional appointments to completely remove all deposits. To remove the heavy tartar, an ultrasonic scaler is often used first, followed by specialized hand-held instruments to remove any stubborn remains.