Dental scaling allows your dentist to instantly eliminate two bad actors that can lead to some pretty dangerous conditions, plaque and tartar. These substances are sticky and often harden to the point that a regular cleaning won't remove them. That is when your dentist might recommend a dental scaling. While this procedure is considered non-surgical, it might still call for some local numbing anesthesia. To learn more about scaling, read below.
Where Are the Plaque and Tartar?
This stuff can adhere to almost any tooth surface but it seems more likely to accumulate near your gums and a bit below the gum line. You might try to view the build-up on your teeth but you would be wasting your time. Even your dentist and hygienist cannot see plaque and tartar. Rather, they can feel it as they clean and examine your teeth. Your dentist could use hand-held dental instruments to do the job or an ultrasonic instrument.
Is Dental Scaling Painful?
If you've ever had a decayed tooth restored with a dental filling and the dentist used numbing anesthesia, scaling is very similar. You should be completely numb during the scaling procedure. Most people don't feel any pain, though the pressure may make some a bit uncomfortable at times. Usually, an ultrasonic scaling instrument will remove the plaque and tartar using vibrations rather than the chipping away dentists have to do with hand-held instruments. If you need something to relax you before the procedure, speak to your dentist ahead of time for a prescription.
How Long Does a Scaling Take?
Depending on the extent of the plaque and tartar invasion, scaling can either be accomplished in a single visit of about an hour or broke up into several visits.
Scaling Aftercare
As with all dental procedures that use numbing anesthesia, the numbness could persist for several hours after you leave the dental office. As the anesthesia slowly wears off, you may experience some mild discomfort and sensitivity. It's normal to notice a bit of swelling and tenderness along your gum line for a day or so. As time goes by, however, your gums will return to their normal pink and healthy appearance. Talk to your dentist about eating and chewing precautions while your gums calm down. You should be able to brush and floss as usual, but be gentle for the first few days as you do so.
To find out more about the dangers of periodontal diseases that may affect those with plaque and tartar build-up, speak to a family dentist.
Share7 May 2020
The average dentist takes many client appointments each day and also deals with emergency situations on a regular basis. Dental emergencies are very common because people are likely to put off having tooth pain fixed until the pain becomes unbearable. Some people have anxiety about dental visits, and others are trying to avoid the expense of dental care. In either case, the end result is often a dental emergency. I have worked as a professional dental hygienist for many years and have seen all types of dental emergencies. I hope that this blog will help people identify potential emergencies before they become too serious and will allow people to know when to get help.
