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A patient receiving professional scaling and gum treatment at Align Dental Surgery

Scaling & gum treatment

Scaling, polishing & gum treatment

A professional clean that clears plaque and tartar from where your toothbrush cannot reach, and keeps your gums healthy and your teeth stable.

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What scaling is

Scaling is the removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the tooth surface. Tartar is plaque that has hardened, and once it forms a toothbrush can no longer shift it.

Scaling clears these deposits so the tooth surfaces are clean above and below the gum line.

Close-up of an open mouth during a dental examination at Align Dental Surgery

Why scaling matters

Within about two hours of eating, a soft film of bacteria called plaque starts forming on the teeth, as minerals in saliva combine with bacteria around food debris. If it is not removed thoroughly, it hardens into tartar, which a toothbrush cannot shift. Tartar irritates the gums, breath becomes less fresh, the gums start to bleed, and over time the bone that holds the teeth can be lost and teeth can loosen.

Cleaning the tooth surfaces at and just below the gum line is one of the most effective things we can do, alongside daily brushing and flossing, to keep gums healthy and teeth stable for the long term.

Signs your gums need attention

  • Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
  • Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
  • Gums that look red, swollen or have receded
  • Teeth that feel loose or have shifted
  • It has been more than a year since your last clean
Healthy teeth and gums kept clean with regular scaling at Align Dental Surgery

What a routine visit involves

A routine scale and polish usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes and is generally comfortable, though you may feel some sensitivity, especially if it has been a while since your last clean.

Most of the appointment is the clean itself, finished with a fluoride application at the gum margin to ease sensitivity of the freshly cleaned surfaces.

A routine scale and polish, step by step

  1. Remove the hard tartar deposits with an ultrasonic scaler.
  2. Polish the tooth surfaces smooth so plaque is slower to build up.
  3. Clear any remaining soft deposits below the gum line with an air jet.
  4. Apply fluoride at the gum margin to ease sensitivity.
A dental mirror and probe checking the teeth during a scaling appointment at Align Dental Surgery

Deeper cleaning: root planing

In some patients the deposits are very adherent or sit in deeper pockets, so the roots need a more thorough clean. This deeper procedure is called root planing.

Root planing can be more sensitive, so it is usually done under local anaesthesia for comfort. For patients who are needle-phobic or anxious about treatment, we can provide nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or intravenous sedation.

If gum disease is left untreated

Gum disease is easier to control when it is treated early, and some people are genetically more prone to aggressive forms of it. Left untreated, it tends to progress: the gums recede, the supporting bone is lost, teeth become loose, and eventually they can be lost altogether, often with persistent bad breath.

At that stage a deeper clean of the roots, sometimes called gum surgery, may be needed. Where bone has been lost to gum disease it can often be regenerated, and missing teeth can be replaced with bridges or titanium implants.

Questions & answers

Scaling & gum treatment: common questions

Does scaling hurt?
A routine scale and polish is generally comfortable, although you may feel some vibration and a little sensitivity, especially if your gums are inflamed or it has been a while since your last clean. Any sensitivity usually settles within a day or two, and a sensitive-teeth toothpaste helps in the meantime. Deeper cleaning of the tooth roots (root planing) can be more uncomfortable, so we do that under local anaesthesia, and we can offer nitrous oxide or IV sedation if you are anxious. Tell us how you feel and we will keep you comfortable.
How often should I have my teeth scaled?
For most people, a scale and polish every six to twelve months is about right, and your dentist will recommend an interval based on how quickly you build up tartar and on the health of your gums. If you have gum disease, you may need cleanings more frequently, sometimes every three to four months, to keep it under control. Regular cleanings also give us a chance to spot decay and other problems early. If it has been a long time since your last visit, just book in and we will get you back on track.
What happens if gum disease is left untreated?
Untreated gum disease tends to progress: the gums recede, the supporting bone is lost, teeth become loose, and eventually they can be lost altogether, often accompanied by persistent bad breath. The earlier it is treated, the easier it is to control, which is why bleeding gums are worth acting on rather than ignoring. In more advanced cases, deeper cleaning or gum surgery may be needed, and where teeth are lost, options such as bridges or implants can restore them. The best outcome comes from catching it early, so book a check-up if your gums are bleeding or sore.
How long does a scaling appointment take?
A routine scale and polish usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It is generally comfortable, though you may feel some vibration and a little sensitivity, especially if your gums are inflamed or it has been a while since your last clean.
What is root planing?
Root planing is a deeper clean of the tooth roots, used when plaque and tartar are very adherent or sit in deeper pockets below the gum line. Because it reaches further under the gum, it is usually done under local anaesthesia, and we can offer nitrous oxide or IV sedation for patients who are anxious.

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