Does Scaling and Polishing Whiten the Teeth?
We all crave certain things in life - money, a lean body, happiness, and of course, a set of healthy pearly white teeth.
Okay, the above may be a tad dramatic on our part, but when it comes to our teeth, it’s certainly very nice to have a set of healthy white teeth to go with a lovely smile.
Keeping the teeth healthy and white is a challenge in itself however. Sure, we know that brushing daily is important, as is flossing, using mouthwash, avoiding sugary drinks, and regularly visiting the dentist.
Visiting the dentist regularly is important for healthy teeth as not only can they check for damage, they can also carry out simple, yet highly effective procedures such as a scale and polish.
But, does scaling and polishing whiten teeth? Well, read on to find out.
What does a scale and polish involve?
The mouth provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which thrives in dark, warm, moist locations. While some bacteria can be beneficial for our health, too much, combined with plaque, can lead to gum disease.
Plaque bacteria can lead to all manner of dental health issues and sadly, no matter how much you brush your teeth, or how hard you brush them, there will be parts that you can’t reach, which will allow plaque to build up.
Plaque bacteria can build up and eventually it will lead to tough, stone-like crusty yellow/brown deposits which are known as tartar. This then sticks to the teeth and is virtually impossible to remove via brushing alone. The only way to have these deposits removed is via a scale and polish.
A scale and polish is carried out by your dentist and first involves a ‘scrape’ stage in which use a special device, usually an ultrasound scraper to scrape away as much of these deposits as possible. Afterwards, special hand-held manual tools are used to remove whatever the ultrasound scraper couldn’t get.
The second stage is the polish stage, whereby your dentist will polish the surface of the teeth to leave them smooth and whiter.
Do your teeth need scaling and polishing?
People often ask does scaling and polishing whiten teeth, and the answer to that is yes. This is just one of the many reasons why people need a scale and polish.
Plaque and tartar build ups in the mouth and on the teeth are inevitable, regardless of how well you brush and how clean your diet is. If allowed to accumulate, this can lead to possible dental health issues, along with bad breath and unsightly teeth.
Brushing and flossing alone won’t get rid of the plaque, which is why you need to visit your dentist regularly to undergo a scale and polish.
Does scaling and polishing whiten teeth?
Yes.
A scale and polish is not primarily designed to whiten the teeth, as that is what teeth whitening treatments are for. With that said however, a scale and polish will in fact leave the teeth looking smooth, shiny, and whiter after the treatment.
What is the difference between teeth whitening and scaling and polishing?
In all honesty, explaining the difference between teeth whitening and a scale and polish is like explaining the difference between a heart bypass operation and an ingrowing toenail extraction, in the sense that they’re two entirely different procedures.
A scale and polish is designed primarily to remove plaque and tartar for oral health reasons, whereas teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance the overall aesthetics of the teeth.
Scale and polish side effects
While this is one of least invasive dental procedures you will ever undergo, there are a few side effects that you can expect during and after a scale and polish, including:
- Bleeding of the gums
- Tooth sensitivity
- Very minor tenderness in the mouth
- Sensitive gums
- Minor swelling
Teeth scaling and polishing cost
The good thing about teeth scaling and polishing is the fact that the procedure is so affordable.
Without insurance, depending on the dentist you visit, you can expect to pay, on average, between $150 and $350, though of course, these figures do vary.
Book your tooth scaling and polishing now!
If you’re concerned about plaque and tartar in your mouth, or if you just feel as if your teeth could use a bit of a sprucing up, book your treatment with us now!
Here at Nedlands Dental, we offer tooth scaling and polishing, as well as countless other treatments and procedures, all for affordable prices, so what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and book your treatment today.
