Smilescene & Teethscene offer a wide range of general dental treatments to both private & NHS customers alike using state of the art techniques and equipment.
A scale and polish is a very common dental treatment which is carried out as a preventative treatment designed to form part of a dental hygiene plan to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Also known as ‘dental cleaning’, this procedure along with regular brushing, flossing, mouthwashes and healthy eating can help to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Why do you need a ‘scale and polish?
Your teeth come under constant attack from the starches and sugars present in our food which are released as we eat. When this combines with plaque – the sticky bacterial film that forms on the teeth over time, it produces an acid which is harmful to our teeth. This plaque forms on the surface of and between our teeth and if is not removed will form a yellow or brown mineral deposit which causes the teeth to have a rough or ‘crusty’ appearance and can also cause gum damage. Plaque can corrode the teeth, causes cavities and tooth decay as well as bad breath. In extreme cases, untreated tartar formation, especially around the gums can cause gingivitis can occur which in turn can lead to the more serious periodontal gum disease.
A scale and polish can remove plaque and leave your teeth feeling nice and smooth. This will also prevent bacteria sticking to them and, it will help to prevent gum disease.
If any of these happen to your teeth then it could lead to you loosing a tooth or even several teeth.
The ‘scale’ part of the procedure involves the use of an ultrasound device which emits vibrations to loosen large areas of tartar, it will spray a cooling mist at the same time which washes away the debris.
For heavily stained teeth ‘air abrasion’ may also be required, which can also be used as a tooth whitening method as well as preparing a tooth for a filling, and is often preferred to the drill.
We then use a series of hand tools called scalers and curettes to remove smaller deposits as well as smoothing the surface of the teeth.
Once your teeth are beautifully smooth the dentist will then give them a polish. This means using a handpiece with a soft, spinning rubber cup which is applied to your teeth. A special paste called a ‘prophylaxis’ is inserted into this cup and together with the spinning cup, will give your teeth a shiny appearance.
Does scale and polish hurt?
A scale & polish tends to be a relatively painless procedure and the vast majority of patients reporting ‘tickling’ or ‘scraping’ sensations, some even quite enjoy it.
