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Scaling and cleaning

Feel healthy and refreshed! 😁

Medical professionals performing a dental procedure on a patient in a clinic.
Dentist explaining a dental X-ray of a patient's teeth displayed on a large monitor to the patient in a dental clinic.
A man is undergoing a dental scan using a 3D imaging machine, with a technician assisting and positioning the man's head for the scan.
Two men in a dental office examining a digital 3D model of teeth on a screen.
Dental professionals are performing a procedure on a patient in a dental office. The patient, lying back with hands clasped, is receiving treatment with the dentist and a dental assistant. A computer monitor displays a dental model. The room contains
A healthcare professional wearing a mask, glasses, and gloves is conducting a dental x-ray on a male patient seated in a dental chair.

What is scaling and cleaning?

  • Scaling - Using a instrument called a scaler (automatic or manual) to vibrate or scrape off the calcified bacteria called calculus off.

  • Cleaning - Part of the treatment where we use our electric toothbrush to help you brush and polish your teeth.

Close-up of an injection needle releasing a small amount of liquid.
Close-up of several surgical or medical stainless steel instruments, arranged on a white surface.

I clean my teeth quite well thank you! Why would I need another one by a dentist?

We build up plaque (aka bacteria) over time. But some of the bacteria that builds up are calcified by our saliva (these are called calculus) which sticks to the teeth, are very chalky and can contribute to bad breath and gum diseases - and that's the problematic bacteria which you can't clean by yourself properly! 

Comparison of unhealthy and healthy gums. On the left, unhealthy gums are red, swollen, and receding with loose teeth. On the right, healthy gums are light pink, firm, and tight with well-aligned teeth.

What instruments do you use to clean my teeth?

We use a scaler similar to this picture. It shoots out water and vibrates as fast as an F1 engine:

Close-up of a dental scaler with a water spray directed at a gray background.

It's a really nifty device as it cleans the calculus off your teeth WITHOUT damaging it.

Otherwise, if your teeth is very sensitive to the cold water (it happens) we can use these instruments called a hand-scalers.

Set of colorful dental tools with textured handles in pink, red, gray, purple, blue, red, orange, and green, each with a curved metal tip.

The scraping sound doesn't sound nice and it feels weird, but it's better than having sensitivity and pain associated with it.

How often do I need to have my teeth cleaned?

It depends - some people accumulate their plaque fast, some people less fast. The usual time for a good clean is around every 6 months in conjunction with your general checkup. 

Why does it hurt when I have my teeth cleaned?

This is because your gums are swollen due to the heavy accumulation of plaque and bacteria (we call this acute inflammation).

This increases the sensitivity of your nerve cells surrounding your gums making it more sensitive to cold and vibrations. When your gums are not swollen you won't feel your gums hurting when we scale and clean your teeth.

inflamed gum diagram gingivitis

What are some of the benefits of having my teeth cleaned?

Preventing gum disease (this is a big benefit) with regular cleans.

  • Can reduce or eliminate your bad breath (halitosis)

  • Reduce your bacteria load which can minimize the number of fillings needed!

  • Mandatory if you are having any sort of braces, Invisalign or having any dental treatment done!

I'm good to go! Where next?

Contact us and we will arrange a time for you to have your teeth checked and cleaned. 😉