Will my teeth really get shaved down and become loose after scaling?

Sometimes, there are people who bleed from their gums during brushing due to toothbrush use.

 

If bleeding occurs from the gums, there is a high likelihood of periodontal disease, or gum disease.

 

There are various symptoms of gum disease.

 

The color of the gums may turn red, and they may feel swollen, or there may be pain when touching the gums.

 

Gums and teeth may appear separated, and you might feel that your teeth are loose or that their position shifts every time you chew. The gaps between the teeth may gradually widen, or you may experience a tingling or aching sensation between the teeth. If chewing hard objects causes pain, there is a high likelihood of gum disease.

 

 

Gum disease is a condition characterized by inflammation of the gums, but it can be restored to healthy gums through scaling at the dentist.

 

Scaling is one of the very important areas of treatment that should be received regularly, but there are many cases where people do not know well or have incorrect information about the purpose, results, and procedures of scaling.

 

Let's clarify each misunderstanding about this kind of scaling.

 

What is the purpose of scaling?

 

Some people think that scaling is for cosmetic purposes.

 

Scaling is a treatment aimed at removing tartar, which is a mass of bacteria.

 

- Does scaling remove the teeth?

 

Scaling removes only the tartar attached to the teeth through gentle vibrations.

 

This can be thought of as similar to shaking off dust from a blanket to remove the dust.

 

There is no damage to the teeth themselves.

 

 

Are your teeth wobbly after scaling?

 

Sometimes, people may feel that their teeth are wobbly after scaling treatment, but if the periodontal condition is very poor and there is a lot of tartar, the tartar may hold multiple teeth together, leading to the misconception that the teeth are more stable and less wobbly before scaling.

 

This is a temporary phenomenon; during scaling, tartar between the teeth and the jawbone is removed, creating a gap, but as normal tissue regenerates later, the symptoms of looseness decrease.

 

Does this gap open up after scaling?

 

The space between these two is filled with gums, but as plaque builds up in that area, the gums recede and the plaque takes its place. When the plaque is removed through scaling, a gap is created where the plaque used to be, and this space between the two is considered to have widened.

 

Since the gums that have receded once do not come back up, if tartar begins to form, it should be removed as soon as possible.

 

Are your teeth more sensitive after scaling?

 

The more tartar there is, the more likely the gums are to swell, and the gum bone may begin to deteriorate, causing the tooth roots to become exposed.

 

Thick tartar temporarily acts as a physical barrier against sensitivity, but when it is removed through scaling, the tartar serving as the physical barrier is gone, which can make the tooth feel more sensitive.

 

If scaling is not performed, symptoms of gum disease may appear.

 

When brushing your teeth, symptoms can vary, including bleeding gums, gums turning red and feeling swollen, pain when touching the gums, gaps forming between the gums and teeth, and teeth feeling loose.

 

Scaling is effective not only in preventing gum disease but also in preventing its progression even if gum disease is already present.

 

The frequency of scaling varies for each individual, but generally, it is appropriate to perform it every 6 months to 1 year. For those aged 19 and older, health insurance coverage is available once a year, making regular scaling essential.

 

I strive to maintain healthy teeth through careful brushing and flossing, and I diligently manage my teeth and gums through regular scaling treatments, aiming to practice the best oral health care.