Can Scaling Damage Your Teeth? (Side Effects)

Are you confused about whether the scaling of teeth is good or bad? Or Can Scaling Damage Your Teeth? This is a common confusion among people that we will clarify in this guide!

While scaling is a typically recommended teeth cleaning procedure by dentists, many people continue to have reservations about the procedure. The usual fears associated with the process include that the teeth will get sensitive, the teeth will become, the enamel will decay, or the teeth will come loose and fall out.

Let’s find out what teeth scaling actually is and whether there is any truth to these fears!

What Does Scaling Do To Teeth?

Scaling is a medical term for cleaning the teeth. The process involves cleaning the deposited substances on the teeth that tend to react with the food and beverages we consume to form plaque and tartar on the teeth’ surface. These deposits are bacteria houses that can do a lot of damage to the teeth might also lead to cavities.

Scaling is a manual cleaning procedure through which dental professionals scrape off the unwanted deposits from the teeth and above and below the gums. The process culminates with smoothing out the teeth roots so the gums can reattach.

The question is, is scaling harmful for teeth?

Does Scaling Make Teeth Week?

It is important to understand that scaling does not cause further damage to the teeth. However, the cleaning process and the removal of deposits can expose the existing damage already done to the teeth under the shadow of the deposits. Frequently, it is this unveiling that makes people fearful of scaling.

So, scaling does not cause gaps in your teeth, it does not make teeth loose, and it does not make them fall out.

Loose Teeth

However, if you feel your tooth loose or moving after scaling there are other reasons for it. Some possible causes for moving teeth after scaling include prior dental ailments, old age, and a false sense of weak teeth.

Removing excessive plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth can make you suddenly feel as if the teeth are loose. It is because you are used to that extra snug feeling as the deposits are tightly accumulated around the gums and teeth. However, with time as the gums heal they stick just as snugly to the teeth and the feeling goes away.

However, if your teeth are actually weak or moving after scaling, it is likely because the damage was already done. The deposits have been sitting and collecting on the teeth for so long that they have caused gum inflammation. Hence, after scaling the teeth feel loose against the inflamed gums. This is also likely to be resolved in a couple of days.

Tooth Gap

Similarly, it is not scaling but gum disease that produces gaps in teeth. Over time that gap gets filled up with plaque and deposits. So, when scaling removes these deposits, the gap becomes visible.

Does Scaling Of Teeth Have Any Side Effects?

There are certain side-effects of scaling. However, they are not long-term, some are unlikely, and patients typically recover within a few days.

Scaling side-effects include:

• Patients may feel discomfort during the process. However, anesthetics are administered to keep the patients relaxed and pain-free.
• There are chances of minor bleeding and swelling. However, this usually goes away in a few days.
• Patients may experience pain and sensitivity after the process. This sensitivity disappears in a couple of days or even a couple of hours for some people.
• Although very unlikely, some patients may face issues with gum reattachment or gum recession. This is a rare side effect. Most patients undergo a safe and effective scaling procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.   Can scaling teeth damage teeth enamel?

Scaling does not damage the teeth’ enamel. While patients may experience temporary bleeding and sensitivity, this is not a sign of enamel damage.

2.   How can I care for teeth after scaling?

The ideal strategy is to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth twice a day and flossing. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet to strengthen teeth and gums and speed up recovery.

3.   Is it safe to scale your own teeth?

Scaling is a medical procedure performed by professional dentists using specialized medical tools. Without the training to use these tools, it is not safe to scale your own teeth.