There has been some very controversial discussion about scaling: is scaling bad for the gums? The short answer is no, it is not. In fact dental scaling and deep cleaning can help you prevent periodontal diseases.
Our mouth is a complex ecosystem with a rich microbiome, most of which co-exists in delicate balance. However, some opportunistic bacteria, which prefer to dine on the residue of our modern diets consisting of refined carbohydrates, work towards destroying this tenuous balance. These microbes proliferate and form a recalcitrant biofilm in the form of plaque on the enamel surfaces. While strict home care practices, including conscientious brushing and interdental cleaning, are the most important factors in disrupting this early colonization, there are usually several areas where plaque matures and calcifies into a hard layer called calculus, or tartar.
What is Dental Scaling?
Dental scaling is an essential yet exacting periodontal procedure. Effectively removing accumulated plaque and tartar demands deft hands and a keen eye. It is delicate work, core to whole-mouth betterment, yet the practitioner sees it through with nary a nick nor scrape. With care and care alone can this deep decluttering can lay the ground for gum health’s resurgence. It is this process that forms the basis of the prevention of the insidious development of periodontal disease and of maintaining the integrity of the dentition. In addition, by removing reservoirs of bacteria, debridement is also crucial in the management of halitosis and in creating a healthier oral environment.
The scaling process begins with an assessment. Before scaling, your dentist or hygienist will examine your teeth and gums to assess the amount of plaque and tartar buildup and the health of your gums. Then, using specialized dental tools, such as ultrasonic scalers and hand tools, such as scalers and curettes, they carefully remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, including below the gum line.
Advantages of Teeth Scaling
Professional dental debridement yields a host of benefits, both as a preventive and therapeutic modality in oral health:
• Enabling Systemic Oral Health: By minimizing the chronic inflammatory load due to plaque and calculus accumulation, debridement encourages a more stable oral environment, with overall health ramifications far exceeding the mouth.
• Guard against Acute Oral Manifestations: Periodontal debridement disrupts the disease-initiating potential of bacterial biofilms, thereby reducing the occurrence of acute inflammatory episodes in the mouth.
• Freshening Breath from Its Source: Removal of bacteria that cause bad breath and their metabolic end products is the secret to long-lasting breath freshness.
• Economical Proactive Care: Spending on regular professional debridement can prevent the need for more complex and costly restorative or surgical procedures down the line.
• To Preserve Tooth Structure: By eliminating acid metabolic waste products of bacteria, debridement is essential to prevent the demineralization and eventual cavitation that characterize dental caries.
• To Soothe Gingival Inflammation: Mechanical elimination of local irritants, plaque, and calculus is the first step in soothing and preventing gingivitis, the initial phase of gum disease.
• Periodontal Stability Maintenance: In individuals with or at risk for periodontal disease, regular debridement is extremely important in preventing the progression of tissue breakdown and the accompanying loosening of teeth.
Disadvantages And Side Effects of Dental Scaling
Scaling of teeth is harmless and will lead to certain side effects that are mild in nature. The patient can experience pain and tenderness following scaling if the plaque is dense or if the patient’s gums are sensitive. However, this pain should not be too intense and can be controlled by taking normal prescription pain relievers. The pain will vanish within 24-48 hours. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water will speed up healing.
In addition, the gums may bleed a little immediately after scaling. The bleeding will be slight and will stop right away. Heavy and continuous bleeding could be a sign of gum disease. So, if bleeding doesn’t stop, call your doctor.
Removal of tartar from your teeth may cause sensitivity in your teeth. The reason for sensitivity is that scaling changes the shape of your gums and teeth. Sensitivity is momentary, and it can be managed by applying an anti-allergic toothpaste.
Finally, infection is also one of the potential side effects of scaling. People with weak immune systems and those with poor oral hygiene are more susceptible to infection. Additionally, the more accurate and thorough the scaling, the smaller the possibility of infection. Call your doctor if you experience signs of fever, malaise, gum abscesses, or swelling.
While there are side effects to temporary scaling, the side effects disappear quickly, and since it promotes general oral health, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Myths about Dental Scaling
There are misconceptions about dental scaling, and this has caused some people to avoid the procedure. One of the most common misconceptions about dental scaling is that it loosens and weakens your teeth. This is a falsehood because scaling eliminates the plaque on your teeth that can cause gum disease. Remember that your tooth enamel is harder than scaling.
It is also a general belief that scaling widens spaces. If you think your teeth are widening after scaling, you are mistaken. When you have a lot of gum disease, the spaces between your teeth are occupied by plaque. Scaling simply eliminates this and clears your gums and teeth. So, you will get the sensation of your teeth widening.
If the scaling is done perfectly and by a professional dental practitioner, you will not experience any significant side effects. All the advantages and side effects of scaling are shown in the table below. The majority of the scaling side effects are momentary and vanish very quickly.
| Pros | Cons |
| Prevents gum and periodontal disease | Temporary tooth sensitivity |
| Reduces the risk of tooth decay | Mild inflammation and bleeding of the gums |
| Improves bad breath | Temporary feeling of looseness in the teeth |
| Prevents oral infections | The feeling of a gap between the teeth and gums |
| Creates a cleaner, brighter appearance for teeth | Some people may experience mild pain |
Post-Scaling Care Advice
To get the most out of your professional debridement and enjoy greater long-term oral wellness, consider the following holistic recommendations:
• Nutritional Wisdom: Steer clear of, for now, highly acidic foods and beverages that can aggravate sensitive tissue. Commit to a nutrient-rich diet full of whole foods to restore tissue. You can find a list of these here.
• Abstinence from Irritants: Avoid alcohol and tobacco, as these will impede healing and compromise oral health.
• Nutritive Choices: Choose soft, warm foods that are easy to digest and rich in calcium and vitamin D to preserve bone and tissue integrity.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Avoid very hot and cold food and beverage temperatures during the initial post-treatment time.
• Hydrating with Purpose: Avoid or reduce carbonated beverages, which are erosive to enamel.
Is scaling harmful to teeth and gums?
Debridement of the teeth is not damaging to the gums but rather a very useful therapeutic intervention that improves both the functional and aesthetic health of your teeth and gums. As we carefully strip the calculus and plaque away, we disrupt pathogenic bacterial colonies, minimize inflammation, and encourage an oral environment conducive to general health. Routine visits with a dental professional for regular debridement, combined with diligent home care practices, constitute an investment in a clean, healthy smile for many years to come.
