Teeth Cleaning

Dental plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless 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.

Regular tooth cleaning by the dentist is important to remove calculus or tartar that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. Scaling is a common non-surgical treatment for removal of infected deposits – tartar or calculus – from the tooth surface. These deposits if not removed lead to periodontal disease. In periodontal disease, the pocket between the tooth and gum begins to deepen. This provides a perfect environment for anaerobic bacteria to grow. The bacteria begin to multiply rapidly and infect more of the gum and start dissolving the bone supporting the tooth. This leaves the tooth progressively loose. The treatment now becomes more extensive and complicated in order to save the tooth. Surgery of the gums is required in order to make the tissues around the tooth healthy.

Scaling involves a deep cleaning of the tooth above and below the gum line in order to remove any plaque and calculus that has accumulated on the tooth. This involves the use of special instruments and/or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Commonly an ultrasonic machine is used. It has a fine tip which vibrates at ultrasonic frequency and which dislodges tartar and plaque from the tooth surface. As the vibrations are extremely fine the process does not damage the tooth surface in any way.  We  recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned at least every 6 to 12 months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during the treatment of many of the dental/oral disorders. Routine examination of the teeth is recommended at least every six months.

Instrument like scaler and curette are used to manually remove (scale) the plaque from the teeth. Because the dentist or dental hygienist can’t see the plaque, they rely on touch to identify areas of tartar buildup and rough spots.

Ultrasonic scaler an ultrasonic instrument with a tip for supplying high-frequency vibrations, used to remove plaque and calculus from teeth and bits of inflamed tissue from the walls of the gingival crevice.

The ultrasonic instrument tips are curved and rounded and are always kept in motion around the teeth. Their purpose is to make tartar loose and not cut into the teeth. If the sensations are too strong settings can be adjusted along with the applied pressure to make it more comfortable.

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. The golden rule is to have a routine dental check up every 6 months. Dr Meera’s superspeciality dental clinic will  advise you on the correct home care for healthy teeth. It must be emphasized again that scaling of teeth does not weaken them but prevents gum diseases which bring about bleeding gums and if not checked leading to more serious and extensive gum problems.

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. Moreover, the mouth is the gateway to the whole body, a healthy mouth ensures a healthy body to a great extent.