The Scale And Polish Procedure Explained
This procedure is an important weapon in the fight against gum disease, but how does it work?
The most common reason for a visit to the dentist is for a check up. This is followed by appointments for minor treatments such as fillings or other restorations. There is another reason though which, perhaps, too few people attend for and that is to see the dental hygienist.
The purpose of the hygienist is largely to help you take care of your gum health. This is done through discussion, education and a non-invasive procedure which is known as a ‘scale and polish’. A lot of people know this name but are probably not sure what the treatment entails. With this in mind, today’s blog will try to explain to our Ipswich patients, what happens during it.
The aim
Humans continually produce plaque, a sticky substance that attaches to our teeth and the gum line. This comes from our saliva and contains minerals and bacteria. Over time, this hardens and forms a ‘crusty’ substance known as tartar. If this is not removed, the likelihood of gum disease increases. As this can not only produce unpleasant symptoms but also increases the chance of tooth loss, it is essential that it is removed. While brushing and flossing at home are very important, some tartar will almost inevitably remain and this is where the scale and polish procedure comes in.
The scale and polish procedure
Let us break this treatment down into three sections. We should say, at this point, that in most cases, there will be no need for a local anaesthetic so it is an excellent and beneficial treatment for nervous dental patients as well.
Part 1 – manual scaling
The hygienist at the Foxhall Dental Practice will use specialised instruments to remove tartar and other deposits from the teeth. This is usually done with a special hooked implement known as a dental scaler. This removes larger sections of the tartar and while not painful, patients might experience a little ‘pulling’ sensation between the teeth as tartar is removed from that area.
Part 2 – ultrasonic scaling
Where the problem isn’t too bad, the hygienist might skip the first step and move straight to this one. Otherwise, this is the second part of the treatment. An ultrasonic scaler uses vibrations to help break up hardened deposits of tartar. It also produces a spray of water, which helps to wash away the loosened material and keeps the instrument cool. You are likely to hear a high-pitched buzzing sound during this part of the treatment. It can be a little strange the first time you experience it, but the procedure is straightforward and should cause no discomfort. The excess water is removed during the treatment through a suction device.
This is an excellent way of removing smaller areas of tartar as well as that which is trapped in places that a dental scaler can’t reach.
Part 3 – The polish
Once the deposits of tartar have been removed, the teeth will be polished by the hygienist. A special polishing paste is applied using a small rotating brush. This helps remove some of the remaining surface staining from the tooth enamel and one comment we get a lot from patients of our Ipswich Dentistry Clinic is that it leaves their teeth feeling noticeably smoother and their mouth fresher and cleaner. They are also surprised at how much whiter their teeth are after the stain removal. It should be noted though, that this will not be as effective as a teeth whitening procedure but is a pleasant bonus nonetheless.
Gum health improvement
While the effects mentioned above are what most patients probably notice the most, the really important thing about this procedure is that it helps you to avoid gum disease. This is often underestimated by patients who think that this means just a bit of occasional bleeding. While this can be true in the early stages, neglecting to do anything about this may eventually lead to periodontitis where the bacteria affect the tooth roots and the bone surrounding them. This causes the bone to degrade and thin and become less able to grip the tooth roots as it should. Eventually, this can result in loose teeth or even the loss of them altogether.
It is possible that not everyone will need to have this procedure, but if our dentist recommends that you should do so, we advise that you heed this advice. It is a very effective tool in the battle against gum disease which has also been linked with serious general health issues too. These include heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s and others.
To make sure that your gums are healthy, why not come and talk to one of our dental team? You can make a convenient appointment by calling the Foxhall Dental Practice today on 01473 258396.