98% of India’s adult population suffers from gum disease in one form or the other? Yes, this is a fact & root cause of every gum disease is the bacterial plaque which when not removed properly hardens to form calculus. The more calculus you have, the more your gums and bone underneath recede from the teeth leaving them weak.
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky, colourless film of bacteria and food particles that constantly forms on the teeth. The bacteria colonize and multiply rapidly in this film and initiate infection in the gums, often resulting in tender bleeding gums.
If dental plaque is not removed within 10-14 hours by brushing, it mineralizes into calculus or tartar. Calculus once formed cannot be removed by brushing and has to be removed by scaling by a dentist.
- Poor oral hygiene, smoking, genetic factors, stress, diet, age, illness, drugs.
- Gingivitis – Inflammation of gum due to irritation caused by plaque.
- Gum disease (Periodontitis) – pus formation in gums
- Dental Caries-due to enamel destruction
- Bone Loss -due to receding gums
- Loosening of teeth-leading to tooth loss.
- Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- Hot cold sensation due to receding gums
- Loose or shifting teeth causing difficulty in chewing due to changes in the way teeth fit together
- Tooth loss.
Dental health is an important part of your general health. Correct dental care can help you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Scaling is one such procedure that keeps your gums healthy and firm. It is a procedure used to remove infected deposits like plaque, calculus and stains from the tooth surfaces. Scaling is a safe and routine procedure and does not damage the tooth surface in any way.
Regular tooth cleaning by the dentist is important to remove calculus or tartar that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing. Scaling is a common non-surgical treatment for removal of infected deposits – tartar or calculus – from the tooth surface.
Plaque formation on the teeth is a continuous process. If this is not removed by brushing it starts mineralizing into tartar within 10-14 hours. Such persons may require periodic scaling, every 6 months or so. It must be emphasized again that scaling of teeth does not weaken them but prevents gum diseases.
Good oral hygiene prevents and is vital to the treatment of many of the dental and oral disorders. Good oral hygiene results in a healthy mouth and this ensures a healthy body to a great extent. Scaling can help to:
- Decrease tooth sensitivity due to gum recession.
- Prevent bone loss.
- Prevent tooth loss due to gum disease.
- Helps gums or pocket wall reattach firmly to the spotlessly clean root surface to help prevent tooth loss.
- Prevent further bleeding of the gums.
- Reduces gum swelling.
- Reduces discomfort.
Some of the home care instructions after Scaling are:
- Your care of your teeth and gums after treatment is critical to reduce the risk of recurring periodontal disease.
- Rinse with warm salt water every few hours to encourage healing and soothe discomfort.
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the areas that have been treated.
- Drink 8 glasses of water or fruit juice a day.
- Take pain medication according to directions to help with the discomfort.
- DO NOT take Aspirin.
- Do not drink hot liquids or eat hot spicy food after this procedure.
- Rinse your mouth with CHLORHEXIDINE to reduce oral bacteria.
- Eat a soft healthy diet like yogurt, soft cooked eggs, or soups.
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco for 72 hours after the procedure to allow for healing.
- Gently brush and floss your teeth after each meal.