Getting your Teeth Scaled and Polished in London
One of the more common procedures that a London dentist will carry out when you pay a visit is a scale and polish. This is designed to remove any plaque and tartar that may have developed since your last appointment and to remove any stains that have built up. This form of cleaning is there to maintain oral hygiene, along with the flossing, brushing and mouthwashes that you do at home, and to fend off decay and gum disease. Scaling involves very similar techniques to that of sandblasting by firing blasts of air or finite aluminum particles at the affected areas, as well as ultra sound, to break down tartar. The dentist may also use curettes and small scalars that can remove tiny deposits and smooth the enamel. Depending on the level of build up of tartar to the teeth and if there are any signs of gum disease, you may require a deep scaling below the gums to remove any deeper deposits- this is a more delicate operation that may require a local anesthetic. Once this has been done, your teeth will be polished with a spinning, electric rubber cup and paste to restore the sheen to your teeth. It’s at this point your dentist can determine any signs of acid erosion to the enamel of your teeth and apply a fluoride treatment.
