Scaling removes bacterial toxins and hardened tartar from your teeth and underneath the gum line. It’s also an important step in treating and preventing gum disease, which can progress to more serious dental issues. If you’re wondering about scaling teeth, many dental plans cover this essential procedure as part of routine preventive care. It’s important to attend regular dental cleaning appointments, including scaling, as recommended by your dentist. The short-term discomfort caused by this treatment is well worth the benefits of a healthier mouth.

Paper Towel

For many patients, this step in the cleaning process is uncomfortable. This varies from person to person and usually subsides within a few days. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed and rinsing with warm salt water can help alleviate pain and discomfort.

Paper towels (or Dunnies, as they are sometimes called) are used for a variety of purposes: drying hands, wiping surfaces, and even cleaning up spills. They are non-toxic and easy to dispose of. They are also a great addition to washrooms at hotels and restaurants.

Paper towel manufacturers use a technique called creping to create their product. This process molds soft tissue paper into sheets that have open areas for water absorption. Many manufactures emboss the surface of their product to further improve absorption. Choosing the right paper towel can make all the difference! Our favorite brand of paper towel is the Bounty Quick Size. They scored in the top two or three in all of our tests for absorbency and strength.

Finger

A finger is one of the five digits on the hand. It’s used to grasp, hold, and manipulate objects. Fingers are commonly used by dentists and hygienists to scale teeth, scrape gum tissue, and probe for subgingival deposits or rough areas. A finger is also used to control an ultrasonic scaler or explorer. It’s important that the fingers be properly positioned to reduce pinch force and pressure as well as to increase instrument effectiveness.

The thumb and index fingers should be positioned together as a fulcrum when performing scaling strokes. This stabilizes the instrument and enhances the powerful working stroke required for calculus removal. Keeping the thumb and index fingers in close proximity to each other also improves the ability to adjust the blade angulation (angle of the lower shank of the instrument toward the tooth) for proper adaptation to specific anatomic sites such as mesial surfaces of posterior teeth when using a Gracey curette set.

Interdental Brushes

The use of interdental brushes has been shown to be more effective than flossing in disrupting the daily bacterial biofilm. [1]

These little toothbrushes are designed to fit between your teeth, where a regular toothbrush can’t reach. They have a central metal wire with soft nylon filaments twisted around it.

They are available in nine different sizes, so your dentist can help you find the right one for your mouth. A brush that’s too thin will be ineffective, while a brush that’s too thick can injure your gums.

They’re easy to get used to and can be a big step toward healthier gums and better oral hygiene. Getting patients to understand the importance of using them and how they work can make all the difference in whether or not they stick with them. A dental professional can also serve as a support person and encourage their patient’s continued motivation to use them. They’re especially useful for people with braces.

Mouthwash

Mouthwashes (or mouthrinses) are a popular addition to personal oral hygiene. Their compositions vary widely, with some mouthwashes exhibiting a dual function as both preventive and therapeutic, depending on the concentration of antiplaque substances and duration of usage.

Mouthwash can help improve bad breath by removing the bacteria that cause it, and it can also prevent gum disease from progressing to advanced stages. While it cannot replace proper brushing and flossing, it can be very effective when used in conjunction with these dental treatments.

Many commercial mouthwashes contain fluoride and chlorhexidine. These mouthwashes are considered safe to use by most international guidelines, as they have moderate to high levels of evidence for clinical effectiveness against dental caries and gingivitis. However, natural or alternative mouthwashes have a much lower level of evidence and are generally not recommended for adjunctive use. They may be associated with allergic reaction, microbiome dysbiosis, or other adverse effects. They can also be ineffective in preventing periodontal disease, and they have been shown to increase rather than decrease dental plaque.