What is Dental Scaling and Polishing or Cleaning: Difference

dental scaling
What is Dental Scaling and Polishing or Cleaning: Difference

In dentistry, there are different types of dental procedures that people are not fully aware of. And because of such misconceptions, they are not able to decide which dental procedure or treatment is suitable for them. However, when you visit a dental clinic for check-ups or for any problems, your dentist tells you which dental procedure is suitable for you as per your tooth condition.

Dental scaling, dental polishing or cleaning are a few terminologies in dentistry that people are not able to differentiate which one is suitable to clean or polish their teeth or can make their teeth look whiter. Here we are going to discuss about the key differences between these three dental procedures.

So, let’s start with the introduction of a few words about these dental techniques and then we will discuss how they are different from each other in terms of their applications.

What is Dental Cleaning?

It is a dental procedure performed to clean the teeth professionally, especially to remove the plaque and tartar, a hardened plaque substance from the tooth surfaces usually deposited below the gumline. This cleaning of teeth is performed not only to clean the teeth to look fresh but also to prevent cavities and gum disease.

This dental procedure, also called prophylaxis, is one of the most commonly followed standard dental procedures in dentistry. You can get your teeth cleaned during regular visits or usual dental check-ups. However, as per the dental associations globally, it is recommended to get your teeth cleaned twice a year to stay healthy.     

What is Dental Scaling?

Dental or teeth scaling is a deep dental cleaning procedure that involves the removal of hardened plaque (tartar) and stains from tooth surfaces, mainly around the gumline. In dental scaling, use the ultrasonic tools and manual scalers to remove the bacteria and deposits.

Further, the scaling process also involves root planing for smoothing the roots, which helps gums to get reattached and prevent any further infection or bad breath, helping you to save your teeth from potential loss. This is a critical and time-consuming dental procedure that needs extra care and experience to perform carefully.  

What is Dental Polishing?

Usually, this procedure is performed after teeth cleaning or scaling to smooth and shine the surface of the tooth. During dental polishing, dentists usually remove the external stains, including plaque and debris left after scaling, to give teeth a glossy finish.

The teeth polishing dental procedure not only makes teeth look brighter and feel cleaner, but it also helps to prevent future buildup of plaque or tartar. However, it is different from teeth whitening services in which, after removing the stains, the colour of the tooth is also changed using a medical procedure.  

Dental Polishing

Difference Between Dental Cleaning, Scaling and Polishing:

AspectsDental CleaningDental ScalingDental Polishing
DefinitionCleaning is the process of cleaning the teeth to make them look professionally clean and brighter.Scaling is the process that involves removing the hard plaque or tartar from the tooth surfaces and gumline. Polishing is the process of polishing the surface of teeth to make it look brighter, smoother or shinier. 
PurposeMainly to clean the teeth and the surrounding area around the gums to remove the stains and cavities.Scaling is performed to remove the calculus and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.  Polishing is done to remove the surface stains and makes teeth look brighter with a glossy finish.
ProcedureUsually, normal hand instruments and medical solutions are used to clean the tooth professionally.Ultrasonic scalers or devices are used along with hand instruments to perform this procedure. Along with hand scalers, an electric polisher and rotating rubber cap are used with polishing paste to perform it.
Focused AreaUsually, the upper gumline area or crown surface area is targeted while performing this procedure.In this dental procedure, above and below the gum line, including the roots, are the main areas.The main focus area in this dental procedure is the outer surface of teeth, performed for cosmetic treatment.   
Discomfort LevelsIt is usually a painless dental procedure in which patients do not go through any kind of discomfort.   The discomfort level in this procedure is from mild to moderate, as in some cases anaesthesia is used. It is also a painless dental procedure unless the patient has a problem with polishing materials.   
FrequencyIt can be performed up to two times in a year, or depending on the condition of the patient. It can be performed every six months or twice a year, and in some cases every 3-4 months.It can also be performed every six months, depending on the condition and oral health.  
Cost of Treatment  It is comparatively less expensive than scaling and polishing.The cost of scaling is higher due to a critical dental procedure.Polishing is affordable than scaling but can be costlier than cleaning.   
Best Suitable forIt is suitable for everyone to get their teeth professionally cleaned to prevent gum disease.Scaling is suitable for removing plaque and tartar to prevent cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.It is suitable for anyone seeking brighter teeth or to remove external stains and prevent tartar buildup.

Summing-up

All these dental procedures are different from each other in terms of their applications and requirements. Dental cleaning is simply a cleaning process to clean your teeth and gums, while scaling involves more critical procedures to remove plaque and tartar deposited around the teeth or around the gumline.

On the other hand, dental polishing is the process of cleaning and polishing the teeth to make them look brighter with extra shine. However, all these dental procedures are usually performed under the teeth whitening services that you can get at any of the best dental clinics in Greater Noida or in your city.

How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth? Home Remedies and Treatment

yellow teeth treatment, remedy for yellow teeth
How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth? Home Remedies and Treatment

Teeth are one of the most important parts of our body; you need to keep them clean and healthy. However, with time passing and after a certain age, our teeth become yellow. Even though you brush daily, you still notice the colour of your teeth is not that white.

Although some people have pale yellow or dark yellowish brown, that might be because of chewing tobacco products or not regularly cleaning their mouths. So, we are going to discuss here about yellow teeth, how you can get rid of this problem with some of the home remedies and the best treatment for yellow teeth.

Causes of Yellow Teeth

Though there could be multiple reasons behind the yellow teeth, depending on the teeth’s structure and the lifestyle of the person. However, a few reasons for yellow teeth are very common, like chewing tobacco products or smoking, excessive drinking of coffee, cold drinks and other colour-based beverages. Let’s find out what the other reasons could be and how they affect your teeth in detail. 

Smoking and Tobacco: This is one of the prime reasons why your teeth become yellow. However, in some cases, the excessive consumption of such products and not cleaning your teeth can make your teeth dark or brownish.  The content of tar and nicotine in tobacco products makes your teeth yellow and brownish.

Pigmented Food & Drinks: The caffeine in the coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and chocolates is the reason causing stained enamel in your teeth. These foods and beverages are pigmented and cause a kind of stain, making your teeth look yellow or light brown.   

Unhygienic Oral Condition: Irregular brushing of your teeth and poor oral hygiene lead to plaque and tartar on your teeth, making them become yellow. And when the tartar remains stuck for longer days on your teeth, it makes your teeth look brownish.    

yellow teeth treatment, remedy for yellow teeth

Cure or Home Remedies for Yellow Teeth

The yellow teeth becoming brownish can cause major dental problems like tooth decay (cavities), gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), and tooth sensitivity. Hence, you need to take care of yellow teeth and avoid the major dental problems. However, at the initial stage of the ageing of your teeth, you can take care of your teeth with some of the natural remedies at home.

Yellow Teeth Treatment at Home:

Oil Pulling: This is one of the most common and useful techniques to remove stains from your teeth. Just take one tablespoon of oil, like coconut oil, in your mouth and keep it for 15 minutes, then spit it out. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can help you reduce plaque build-up that causes yellow stains.    

Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide: You can either use the baking soda with water to clean your teeth. And you can use the hydrogen peroxide to get the bleaching effect. Just mix and make a small paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, and gently scrub away surface stains.

Activated Charcoal: It has an absorbent property that removes pigment from the surface of your teeth. You can brush gently with activated charcoal powder, or rub it on your teeth, for up to 2 minutes and rinse with water thoroughly. However, if you have sensitive teeth, use it limitedly to avoid damaging enamel.     

Rinse with Vinegar or Apple Cider: You can dilute apple cider vinegar with water and swish for about a minute. However, don’t forget to rinse your mouth with plain water after applying this. And use this home remedy cautiously, only once or twice a week, to avoid the harmful effects on tooth enamel.

Dental Treatment for Yellow Teeth

The home remedies for yellow teeth treatment work only when your teeth are yellowish or at the initial stage of stains. And if it becomes very dark, yellow or brownish, it would not be curable with such home remedies. Here, you need to get the professional teeth whitening service for Deep Bleaching Teeth in Greater Noida or near any location in your city or town where you are staying.  

yellow teeth treatment, remedy for yellow teeth

Yellow Teeth Treatment:

Home-based Teeth Whitening

The tooth whitening is one of the best and most effective treatments that you can also perform at home, as well as at the dental clinic. In-home-based teeth whitening service, the dentist will provide you with custom-fit trays and a professional-grade whitening gel that you can apply daily on your teeth to get results.       

Office-based Teeth Whitening

In this medical treatment service, you need to visit the dental clinic where the dentist will use the high-concentration bleaching gels activated by a light or laser. That can considerably remove yellow particles and clean your teeth in a single session lasting 30 to 90 minutes. Here, you can also choose teeth bleaching or the laser whitening technique based on your teeth’s condition and your preference. 

Other Medical Treatment for Yellow Teeth

Apart from this, if you visit the best dental clinic in Greater Noida, you can get other medical treatments to make your teeth look white, such as enamel micro abrasion, dental veneers and dental bonding, which are invasive techniques to get rid of yellow teeth.

In Enamel microabrasion, a paste of fine abrasive is used to gently remove a thin outer layer of enamel, which helps remove surface stains and can address deeper discolouration. Dental veneers can be applied to deeply stained or discoloured teeth that don’t respond to whitening. In this dental procedure, thin shells of porcelain are permanently bonded to the front of the teeth.   

Dental veneers are a long-lasting solution that hides imperfections, but they are more expensive than other dental procedures. Similarly, dental bonding is another effective technique in which a tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the tooth’s surface to cover discolouration. However, it works for a few discoloured teeth, but multiple yellow teeth require touch-ups every few years and are not suitable for widespread discolouration.

Summing-up  

Keeping the yellow teeth cleaned is not only necessary to keep your teeth looking white, but it will also prevent your teeth from cavities and plaque. So, keep regularly brushing and rinse your mouth every time after consuming any caffeine-based drinks and pigmented food items.

To prevent yellow teeth at home, you can use the oil pulling technique, or you can use the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide powder. However, these remedies will work for normal or for yellowish teeth; for dark yellow or brownish teeth, you need to visit the nearest dental clinic in Greater Noida.