5 Benefits of Dental Scaling
During a dental scaling, your dentist uses tools to remove plaque and tartar from around and below the gum line. Some dentists use a curette to manually scrape away plaque, whereas others use ultrasound to gently remove tartar. Both methods of dental scaling have significant benefits for your oral health.
1. Healthier Gums
Dental scaling is an important part of gum disease management. Regularly removing tartar from below the gum line helps to curb the growth of the bacteria that cause gum disease. In addition to regular dental scalings, your dentist might recommend that you use a tartar control toothpaste to reduce the rate at which tartar builds up on your teeth and gums.
2. Better Overall Health
Many studies link gum disease with serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and dementia. Researchers think that the bacteria that cause gum disease could travel to other parts of the body through the blood vessels, causing disease in those other body parts. Another theory is that the inflammation associated with gum disease causes damage to blood vessels, which can make many conditions worse. Whatever the exact mechanism might be, dentists agree that gum disease management is important for protecting overall health.
3. Whiter Teeth
Tartar has a yellow shade that can make your teeth look dull and dirty. When your dentist removes tartar from your teeth, you might notice that your smile looks brighter and whiter.
4. Fresher Breath
The bacteria that make up dental plaque and tartar release gases that contribute to bad breath. After your dentist removes these bacteria during a dental scaling, you might notice that your breath smells fresher than usual. Of course, to keep your breath smelling fresh, you will need to pay close attention to your regular dental hygiene routine, which should involve daily brushing and flossing.
5. Lower Dental Costs
Spending money on procedures that help with gum disease management is a good way to invest in your dental health. If you allow gum disease to progress without treatment, it can do serious damage to your oral health and lead to you needing expensive procedures. For example, advanced gum disease often results in teeth loosening or falling out, which means you would need dentures or dental implants to replace them. These teeth replacement options are typically much more expensive than dental scaling, which means it is never a good idea to skip a recommended scaling to save money. Instead, talk to your dentist about dental plans which could help you afford regular dental scalings and other procedures to prevent and manage gum disease.
Share