Scaling removes tartar — plaque that has hardened onto the tooth and can no longer be brushed off — from above and below the gum line. It is the single most effective thing done in a dental chair for preventing gum disease. It does not weaken or loosen teeth, although it can make you aware of looseness that was already there and hidden by the deposits.
Why brushing is not enough
Plaque is a soft film of bacteria that forms on teeth continuously. Brushing removes it. Left for a day or two in the places a brush misses — between teeth, along the gum margin, behind the lower front teeth — minerals in saliva harden it into tartar.
Once hardened it is bonded to the tooth. No toothbrush, no mouthwash and no home remedy removes it. It also has a rough surface that collects more plaque, so it accumulates faster the longer it is left.
Does scaling damage the enamel
No. The instruments are designed to break the bond between tartar and enamel, which is far weaker than enamel itself. The concern usually comes from the sound and the vibration, which are considerable, rather than from anything happening to the tooth.
Why teeth can feel loose or sensitive afterwards
Heavy tartar can act like a splint around teeth that have already lost bone support. Removing it can make that pre-existing looseness noticeable. The tartar was not holding the teeth in — it was the reason the support was being lost.
Sensitivity is common for a few days, because root surfaces that were covered are now exposed to hot and cold. A desensitising toothpaste helps and it usually settles.
Why gums bleed during and after
Healthy gums do not bleed when cleaned. Gums bleed because they are inflamed, and they are inflamed because plaque has been sitting against them. Bleeding during scaling is a sign of the condition being treated, not of damage being done.
As the gums heal over the following weeks, the bleeding stops — including when you brush at home, if the cleaning is kept up.
How often
Every six months suits most people. Some need it every three or four months — heavy tartar formers, smokers, people with a history of gum disease, and people with diabetes. Some need it less often.
The interval should be a judgement about your mouth rather than a default. We will tell you what we think and why.
What it costs
A routine cleaning starts at around Rs 800. The final cost depends on how much needs removing, which we will tell you after examining you and before starting. Deep cleaning below the gum line for established gum disease is a longer procedure and is quoted separately.
Read more about Preventive Dentistry on our website, or call +91 9585 360 320 to speak to us.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth differs — please see a dentist about your own symptoms. How we review our content
