Does scaling really damage your teeth?
There is a widespread belief in Pakistan that scaling damages teeth, making them loose, mobile and sensitive, and this might be one of the most expensive misconceptions because believing it keeps people from getting the professional cleaning they need until the damage becomes irreversible.
This myth doesn’t just come out of nowhere. It exists because people experience multiple changes in their oral cavity after a scaling. Since the tongue is remarkably sensitive they notice new gaps and spaces around their teeth instantly, experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold and increased mobility of the teeth. All of these sensations are very real. But why is it that despite all these changes reported by patients post-scaling, dentists still continue to recommend this specific treatment?
To understand this we first need to step back and take a look at what was already happening inside the oral cavity.
Surrounding each tooth, between the tooth surface and the free gum tissue is a V-shaped crevice known as the gingival sulcus and in healthy gums this gap is only a few millimetres deep. Throughout the day food particles, bacteria, sugars, acids and saliva combine to form a soft sticky substance known as Dental Plaque that adheres to our tooth surface, starting within the gingival sulcus. The bacteria trigger an inflammatory response within the gingival tissue. If left there, plaque begins to mineralise and form hardened deposits known as Dental Calculus. Plaque is able to adhere more easily to the rough surface of the calculus and becomes more difficult to remove, leading to persistent inflammation, gingival swelling and destruction of the supporting tissues and bone.
With time the depth of the sulcus increases, forming what dentists call a Periodontal Pocket. This process continues silently for years causing bone and attachment loss, while the calculus and the inflamed, swollen gums mask the extent of the damage.
Scaling involves careful removal of this plaque and calculus using special instruments made specifically for this purpose, and once the trigger is removed, the gums begin to heal. The swelling and inflammation subside and the hidden gaps become visible. Some sensitivity is a normal response to the procedure itself but in advanced periodontal disease where the roots have been exposed due to attachment loss, this sensitivity is more pronounced. If some degree of bone loss had already occurred prior to scaling, tooth mobility will also become noticeable.
Does this mean that scaling caused these problems? Absolutely not.
Think of it as a wall with a large crack covered by a thick poster. Removing the poster won’t cause the crack, it will only reveal it.
In advanced periodontal disease, there may already have been severe bone loss compromising the support of the teeth but the heavy calculus deposits sometimes act as splints in such cases, binding the adjacent teeth together. This makes the teeth appear to be more stable than they actually are. However this effect should not be mistaken for a benefit because the plaque adhering to the calculus harbours bacteria that continue to destroy the supporting structures of the teeth. Once these deposits are removed, the extent of the disease is exposed and the source of chronic inflammation i.e., the plaque and calculus is removed.
This misconception is harmful because it scares people off and often is the reason periodontal disease goes untreated. Bone loss continues silently, and by the time the teeth lose their support, treatment becomes much more complicated and difficult. It is important to understand that scaling is the first step in preserving the remaining support of the dentition.
The very thing people avoid due to the fear of loose teeth is often what helps in preventing tooth loss and preserving health in the long run.
If you want to learn more about this topic, we recommend this detailed article (https://acibademinternational.com/blog/dental-hygiene-myths-does-scaling-damage-enamel-or-loosen-teeth/ (opens in a new tab))
