MYTH 2: SCALING (CLEANING OF TEETH AND GUMS) LEADS TO LOOSE TEETH

Scaling or oral prophylaxis is a procedure during which, teeth are cleaned by removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of teeth and from between the teeth and gums, using either hand scalers or, more commonly with the aid of an instrument called an ultrasonic scaler.

Plaque is, in simple terms, a transparent film of bacteria, which forms and accumulates on the surfaces of teeth on a daily basis. This film can be removed to some extent by proper brushing and flossing of teeth and can be controlled to a great extent by the regular use of a good mouthwash containing 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate. When this plaque hardens it becomes a calcified mass called calculus (tartar). Tartar attaches itself to the tooth surface so strongly that no amount of tooth brushing can remove it. It can only be removed by scaling

 If the tartar is not removed in time, it progresses to deposit itself between the teeth and gums. In the process it pushes the gums away from the teeth by its physical presence as well as by producing toxins, which irritate the gums leading to their migration away from the teeth. This leads to the formation of what is known as a periodontal pocket or, simply, a pocket.

 When the pocket becomes deeper, it starts destroying the bone that supports the teeth. As more and more bone is destroyed, the tooth starts to become loose in its socket. This condition is easily reversed and the teeth can be made stable once again. A simple procedure of scaling is needed in most cases if the condition is brought to the attention of the dentist in time. In very advanced conditions scaling is followed by a minor procedure and the teeth are splinted either by wiring them together or by using composite resin cement to join them together so that the teeth are kept immobile until the bone regenerates to support them well.

In advanced conditions the tartar can form a thick sheet spanning several teeth. This sheet of tartar may produce a false splint, which apparently prevents the teeth from becoming mobile. When this offending tartar is removed the teeth may become mobile for a few days before stabilizing eventually. This sudden mobility may alarm the patient into believing that scaling was the cause of his teeth becoming mobile.

In fact scaling, without doubt, strengthens your gums and keeps your teeth stronger and immobile, when done at a regular interval, preferably every 6 months.

Some times, patients complain that scaling has produced spaces between the teeth. This complaint is more common following the removal of very heavy tartar deposits. Actually the spaces had been there between the teeth all along but were covered by the heavy deposit of tartar. Once the tartar is removed by scaling, the pre-existing spaces become more visible, and are not created anew.

Occasionally in patients who have very heavy and deep tartar deposits, the teeth become sensitive following scaling. This is temporary and disappears after a few days.

Some people complain that their gums bleed when they brush their teeth. Others say that they wake up with a ‘mouth full of blood’. A few people say that their gums bleed when they bite into something firm like apples. All these are signs of advanced gum disease known as periodontitis (formerly known as pyorrhea). This disease results because of an accumulation of plaque and tartar between teeth and gums. When people see their gums bleeding due to brushing they simply stop using toothbrushes. This actually complicates the condition to such an extent that, soon the gums will start bleeding spontaneously (without any stimulus).

Bleeding gums can be treated easily and most effectively by a simple procedure of scaling. In fact, in some cases the result of scaling is so dramatic that the patients will notice that their gums have stopped bleeding completely or bleed very less the very next day. The gums will definitely stop bleeding completely once scaling is completed. The procedure usually needs about four sittings.

Stains caused by chewing tobacco and smoking can be removed by regular scaling. Of course, the stains do form once again if the person continues to smoke or chew tobacco. Coffee and tea also cause stains on the teeth. These stains also can be removed by scaling.

Tomorrow we'll see why parents should take care of their childern's milk teeth.