{"id":4814,"date":"2022-06-02T04:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T04:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/?p=4814"},"modified":"2022-04-27T01:20:51","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T01:20:51","slug":"scaling-and-polishing-as-a-treatment-for-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/scaling-and-polishing-as-a-treatment-for-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Scaling and Polishing As a Treatment For Gum Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you are suffering from gum disease and have stains and plaque buildup on your teeth, you may be considering scaling and polishing as a treatment. This procedure involves removing plaque and calculus and is also known as prophylaxis. Although this procedure removes some plaque and stains, it is not effective enough to eliminate calculus and should only be performed in conjunction with scaling. If you are concerned about the pain associated with scaling and polishing, you should consult a dentist before scheduling a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66033506a2383\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66033506a2383\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/scaling-and-polishing-as-a-treatment-for-gum-disease\/#Treatment_of_gum_disease\" title=\"Treatment of gum disease\">Treatment of gum disease<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/scaling-and-polishing-as-a-treatment-for-gum-disease\/#Treatment_of_stains\" title=\"Treatment of stains\">Treatment of stains<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/scaling-and-polishing-as-a-treatment-for-gum-disease\/#Treatment_of_plaque_buildup\" title=\"Treatment of plaque buildup\">Treatment of plaque buildup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/scaling-and-polishing-as-a-treatment-for-gum-disease\/#Pain_associated_with_scaling_and_polishing\" title=\"Pain associated with scaling and polishing\">Pain associated with scaling and polishing<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treatment_of_gum_disease\"><\/span>Treatment of gum disease<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most effective nonsurgical treatments for gum disease is deep scaling and root planing. Professional dental cleaning will treat early stage gum disease and prevent further damage to the teeth and jawbone. However, in advanced cases, scaling and root planing are necessary to eliminate bacteria and restore the appearance of the teeth and gums. Both procedures can improve your overall oral health. Scaling and root planing can be used in combination to treat both early and advanced stages of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both techniques remove plaque and tartar from the teeth below the gum line. This prevents further damage to teeth and gum tissue and can even help prevent the onset of tooth loss or loose teeth. During the procedure, a dentist uses a special metal tool called a curette or a scaler to scrape plaque off the teeth. This process also helps reduce gum infection. Scaling and polishing can be performed on a bare tooth or on a whole set of teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the dentist has removed the plaque and tartar, the procedure will be performed to clean out the pockets. This may take two or more visits. The dentist will also measure the depth of each pocket to determine the best treatment. In many cases, the dentist may insert medication directly into the pockets. To make sure that the medication works, the dentist will carefully examine the pockets. Once the dentist has measured the depth of the pockets, he or she will prescribe a medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early stages of gum disease are characterized by mild inflammation of the tissues and ligaments of the mouth. During this phase, the gums are attached only 1 to 3 millimeters below the gum line. Deep pockets develop and fill with plaque and bacteria, leading to bad breath. Once the gum disease has advanced to this stage, it is often too late to reverse the symptoms. In this stage, the ligaments and the teeth may be damaged and need professional treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional cleaning is one of the most effective methods for treating gum disease and preventing it from progressing further. It is often performed by a dentist or hygienist. The first stage, called the'scrape' stage, consists of removing deposits of plaque and tartar. In some cases, a dentist may use an ultrasound scraper or hand-held instruments to remove stubborn deposits of tartar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treatment_of_stains\"><\/span>Treatment of stains<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A dentist may recommend scaling and polishing as a treatment for stains resulting from lifestyle choices. Stains are usually the result of lifestyle choices, such as smoking or drinking too much coffee. By avoiding these foods, patients can reduce the rate at which stains accumulate. Patients should also rinse their mouths well after consuming stain-inducing foods to minimize the possibility of further stain formation. If scaling and polishing fails to remove stains completely, another treatment option may be necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Routine scaling and polishing are procedures that are performed at the dentist's office to remove plaque and hard tartar on the teeth. Removing these deposits on a regular basis can help to prevent gingivitis and even prevent it from progressing to periodontitis. Treatment of stains with scaling and polishing is sometimes referred to as &#8220;prophylaxis,&#8221; &#8220;professional mechanical plaque removal,&#8221; or &#8220;periodontital instrumentation.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to scaling, polishing removes stains left by tea or coffee. Traditional polishing techniques use a paste or slow-speed rubber cup to remove stains from teeth. New technology makes this process more effective and comfortable. Air polishing also can be performed on teeth with orthodontic treatments and dental implants. Ultimately, polishing is the best treatment for removing stains, and the most popular method of dental hygiene in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A dentist may also recommend scaling if it's causing the stains. This treatment can be used to remove fillings and other dental work that's causing the stain to accumulate. In addition to cleaning and polishing, it can also remove plaque and endotoxins. The process should not be painful, and the patient will experience a clean, polished tooth immediately following the procedure. A dentist may also recommend a cleaning and polishing session for patients who have gum disease or other dental problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treatment_of_plaque_buildup\"><\/span>Treatment of plaque buildup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary benefit of dental scaling and polishing is the reduction of plaque. These procedures effectively remove plaque buildup from the teeth and prevent gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Over time, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious medical condition. Bacteria in plaque release toxins, which penetrate gum tissue and cause it to break down. The resulting empty pockets are full of bacteria and ultimately lead to gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A systematic review of dental scaling and polishing found no significant differences in the presence of early symptoms of gum disease, plaque deposits, and gum pockets between groups that received regular treatments. However, the participants did experience reduced levels of calculus compared with those who did not receive the treatments. Despite the small reduction in calculus, participants said their teeth felt cleaner after scaling and polishing. Depending on the severity of the gum disease, the frequency and intensity of scaling and polishing may be recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scaling and polishing involves the smoothing of the surface of teeth by removing plaque and tartar from them. Regular removal of these deposits can help reduce the likelihood of gingivitis and prevent the development of periodontitis. While scaling removes some of the plaque and stains, it does not remove calculus. Polishing should be performed along with scaling. Cleaning and polishing can also be referred to as prophylaxis, mechanical plaque removal, and periodontital instrumentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Patients who have periodontal pockets may also need scaling and root planing. A dentist performs scaling and root planing on the teeth after they have developed pockets of more than 3mm. Depending on the amount of buildup, this procedure can be painful. However, the dental professional may apply a numbing agent to reduce the pain. A small scaler or ultrasonic cleaner will smooth out the tooth surface. This prevents plaque from collecting along the root surfaces and allows gum tissue to heal properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During a regular dental checkup, dentists remove plaque. X-rays can detect any cavities. Fluoride treatments and prescription toothpaste are also available. Fluoride treatments slow the growth of plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth. Moreover, antibacterial mouthwash and water flossers can be used to prevent and treat plaque buildup. Water flossers can also help remove plaque and food particles. The practice of flossing before brushing is a proven benefit for tooth health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pain_associated_with_scaling_and_polishing\"><\/span>Pain associated with scaling and polishing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While scaling and polishing should not cause pain, you may experience sensitivity, tickling, or a scrape in the mouth. A numbing gel is available for nervous patients. Although it's a routine procedure, you should be aware of any risks. Scaling and polishing can cause damage to your teeth's surfaces, which can cause sensitivity afterward. In addition, you may experience tooth loosening and increased sensitivity after the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The procedure removes deposits of plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. The dentist will use an ultrasound scraper to remove the majority of the tartar, while hand instruments are used to remove stubborn tartar. While this procedure may cause mild sensitivity, it will go away after a few hours. It will take approximately 60 minutes for the procedure to be completed. Pain associated with scaling and polishing is expected and should not last longer than half an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scaling and polishing may be painful. However, it doesn't damage your enamel, and it's recommended that you visit a dentist every six months. It's important to visit the dentist regularly for a cleaning because it keeps your gums healthy and helps prevent bleeding and bad breath. Visiting your dentist for scaling and polishing is also necessary for maintaining a beautiful smile. You can reduce your risk of gum disease by improving your cleaning at home, and scaling will leave you with a healthy, radiant smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A dental cleaning may cause pain during this procedure, so make sure you have a positive attitude and stay calm. During this procedure, your dentist will use a high-speed brush and rubber cup to clean your teeth. They may also use a special paste, known as &#8220;prophy-jet,&#8221; to remove stains. After the procedure, you can resume your normal activities. During this time, you may not eat or drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Post-scaling and polishing can also cause some discomfort, such as pain when chewing hard food or raw vegetables. Avoid eating spicy or acidic foods for a week or two until you can chew soft foods without any pain. Your dentist may recommend a special mouthwash to help reduce the discomfort. A dentist can prescribe antibiotics for you if the pain persists for more than a week after your procedure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are suffering from gum disease and have stains and plaque buildup on your teeth, you may be considering scaling and polishing as a treatment. This procedure involves removing plaque and calculus and is also known as prophylaxis. Although this procedure removes some plaque and stains, it is not effective enough to eliminate calculus [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[282,283,284,285],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4814"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4814"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4938,"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4814\/revisions\/4938"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prvdental.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}