Scale and Cleaning
Phoenix Road Dental Surgery Scale and Clean
Although you may take great care of your teeth, professional cleaning services are still necessary to ensure your smile is at its best. Getting a regular scale and clean from your dentist prevents tooth decay, saving you the cost and inconvenience of future treatment.
What is a scale and clean?
During a scale and clean procedure, your dentist will use specialised dental cleaning equipment to remove plaque, food debris, bacteria and calculus from your mouth. While brushing and flossing help clean your teeth, over time, plaque becomes calcified from the calcium and phosphate in your saliva, and your toothbrush is no longer enough to remove it.
How often should I get a scale and clean?
Ideally, you should get a professional dental clean every six months to prevent tooth decay and permanent stains. If you have issues with gum disease, you may need to come in more regularly; however, your dentist will advise you of this. Skipping these appointments can cause biofilm buildup, potentially leading to more severe issues.
Aside from regular checkups with your dentist, the best way to prevent tartar buildup that can cause health issues is by practising good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and gums twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove biofilm and plaque buildup. You should also floss your teeth at least once a day.
How do I know if I need my teeth professionally cleaned?
Some signs that you need to book a scale and clean treatment with your dentist include:
- You have plaque or calculus buildup that can’t be removed with brushing or flossing at home
- You want to take preventative measures for your health
- Your teeth are stained from tea, coffee, red wine or cigarette smoke
- You have jaw joint pain
It’s best not to wait until these issues become serious, as prevention is always the best route. Contact us to book an appointment with our friendly dental team.
Does it hurt to get a scale and clean?
While it shouldn’t be painful to have your teeth scaled, some patients may experience slight discomfort during the procedure. We understand that many people, especially those with sensitive teeth, may find regular scaling rather uncomfortable. However, at Phoenix Road Dental Surgery, we use the latest airflow teeth cleaning technology to minimise this as much as possible.
At Phoenix Road Dental Surgery, we always strive to keep up to date with the latest innovations in dental technology. Airflow teeth cleaning is the most effective and comfortable way to polish and clean your teeth on the market.
This latest technology in preventative dental care is also good for patients with braces or dental implants, as it can easily get into tight spaces without needing direct contact with your teeth or gums.
In addition, if you have dental anxiety, airflow teeth cleaning is an excellent option to help alleviate the stress, as it is more comfortable and features less drilling noise than other scaling technology.
The traditional cleaning method utilises an ultrasonic tip that vibrates to break away deposits on your teeth. Your dentist would then do a prophylaxis procedure which uses a powder paste to remove calculus and tartar buildup as well as light stains from your teeth.
Airflow teeth cleaning uses Guided Biofilm Therapy treatment to clean your teeth without using the vibration and cold water that can cause discomfort to sensitive teeth. The gentle airflow and warm water help prevent pain even when cleaning deep pockets between your teeth.
How much does it cost to get a scale and clean?
Many private health insurance companies cover one free clean a year so there is little to no out-of-pocket cost. Don’t hesitate to call our friendly team at (08) 9434 1235, and they can assist you with any billing information you may need.
How do I book an appointment?
At Phoenix Road Dental Surgery, we understand that going to the dentist can be an inconvenient and uncomfortable process at the best of times, so we’ll always go out of our way to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. View all of our available appointments and book a visit with one of our friendly dentists here.
Want to read more? You might be interested in:
emergency dentistry