Rm98 Scaling and Polishing Promo! And why you should have them!-Dr Aaron Lai

-What is scaling and polishing?

Teeth cleanings are an essential aspect of maintaining oral and overall health. Some people are very familiar with this process, perhaps having done it every 4-6 months.

Scaling is used to remove the hard tartar on your teeth, which cannot be removed by simply brushing your teeth by a toothbrush. It uses tickling vibrations to knock larger pieces of calculus loose. It also sprays a cooling mist of water while it works to wash away debris and keep the area at a proper temperature as when something is vibrating at high speed it generally generates a lot of heat. The device typically emits a humming pitched whistling sound. This may seem louder than it actually is because the sound may get amplified inside your head while vibrating at high speed.

Polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup or brush that spins on the end. It generally removes the stains that may have build up over a period of time from drinking teas, coke, or coffees.  It is a common practice for this polishing to be done with a mildly abrasive paste that includes re-mineralizing ingredients such as fluoride which serve to re-mineralize and reinforce weakened tooth structure.

-Why do we need frequent scaling and polishing?

This is because even normal brushing and flossing after every meal and snack cannot remove every bit of plaque and tartar that accumulates on your teeth after eating. What is more, this builds up of plaque and tartar results in serious damage to your teeth and gums as well as your overall health. As a rule, we generally require cleaning every 4-6 months to maintain, prevent or cure our gums and teeth for an optimum oral health.
-How long is the procedure?

It can range from 15 minutes up to an hour if you are heavily loaded with calculus and stains.  With larger deposits that have hardened on, it can take some time to remove these, just like when you didn’t wash your car for 3 months it’s generally harder to clean the dirt off.

-Can I do scaling and polishing more than twice a year? Because I heard it makes the teeth weak.

Dental cleanings may have somewhat of a bad reputation but they are really quite simple in theory. It is a wrong perception that scaling makes your teeth weak or it removes a layer of your teeth. Now, there are many people who may avoid dental cleanings because they think that scraping the teeth just isn’t good for them. However, in the hands of a skilled professional, there is no need to worry about damaging your teeth. Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body and it actually blunts the stainless steel instruments that we use to do the cleanings. Scaling is the treatment for gingivitis and periodontitis, it is a prophylactic treatment. It does not remove the tooth layer but the plaque and calculus from your tooth only!

-Why do I bleed during the procedure? Is it normal to bleed?

It is absolutely normal! During scaling, there may be mild bleeding; it is not due to any harm done to your oral health but due to the infection in your gums and bones.

-Why do I develop sensitivity after scaling?

You may have slight sensitivity after the scaling procedure, it is because earlier you were carrying chunks of calculus over your teeth and after it is removed your teeth is exposed to the oral fluids again. Imagine you are wearing a sweater during winter and suddenly you are asked to remove it. Wouldn’t it make you cold for a few minutes at least till you adjust to the temperature? Now imagine your teeth wearing a sweater of tartar for weeks and months and all of a sudden you remove it. Wouldn’t it take your teeth a few days at least to adjust to the new temperatures? It doesn’t mean they have become sensitive. They just need time to recover.

-If  calculus is preventing my teeth from being exposed to oral fluids again and make me feels sensitive then why should I remove them?

In the long run, scaling may actually prevent teeth sensitivity by preventing gum recession and inflammation. Calculus can cause your gums to develop gum recession and inflammation as it’s a build up of bacteria, saliva and food. When you develop gum recession your teeth’s root surface are exposed to the oral cavity which eventually causes sensitivity in long run instead of short term sensitivity.

Dr.Aaron Lai, DDS

For further information please contact me at aaron@story.drfauziah.com