Clinical review: Dr. Samreen Ejaz, BDS, RDS ·
What scaling actually removes
Plaque is the soft, sticky layer that builds up on teeth every day. If it isn’t cleaned away, it hardens into tartar, and your toothbrush can’t shift that. Scaling uses dental instruments to remove the tartar. We may then polish the teeth to smooth them and lift some surface stains. Polishing cleans the surface, but it doesn’t change the natural colour of your teeth.
Bleeding gums are worth checking
If your gums bleed when you brush, your breath stays bad, or you can see tartar near the gum line, get your gums checked. Dr. Samreen looks at how inflamed they are, how well they hold the teeth and where the tartar sits. A clean above the gum line is one thing. Deeper gum pockets need a different kind of treatment, and some people need a closer gum assessment first.
Does it hurt?
You’ll usually feel scraping and some vibration, and sensitive teeth can twinge. Tell us before we start if your teeth are sensitive or a past cleaning was unpleasant. We use powered and hand instruments depending on how much tartar there is. If a spot feels uncomfortable, say so and we’ll stop and talk about what can help. A heavy build-up may take more than one visit.
After the clean
Your teeth may feel smooth and a little strange at first, and some spots can be sensitive for a while. We’ll tell you what to expect from your gums and when to call us. The benefit only lasts if you keep cleaning the places where plaque collects again, especially between the teeth. We’ll show you how, because a quick demonstration helps far more than being told to brush harder.
Is it cleaning, whitening or sensitivity you need?
If the colour of your teeth bothers you, we first check whether it’s surface staining or the natural shade of the tooth. Scaling and polishing can help with surface stains. Whitening is a separate treatment for the shade itself. If one small spot gives you a short, sharp pain with cold, that needs its own check, and it may lead to desensitising care or dentine bonding instead.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Questions about scaling and polishing
Will scaling make gaps between my teeth?
Removing tartar can show spaces that the tartar was filling. Checking your gums tells us whether they have also shrunk back or lost some support.
How often will I need it?
That depends on how quickly tartar builds up in your mouth and how healthy your gums are. We’ll suggest a gap that suits you rather than one rule for everyone.
Is polishing the same as whitening?
No. Polishing cleans the surface of the teeth. Whitening changes their colour in a different way. We find out what is causing the discolouration before suggesting either.
This is general information. What’s right for your tooth depends on what Dr. Samreen finds when she examines it.
Background reading: NHS: dental treatments. These are overseas sources, so their prices and rules don’t apply here.