Brighten Your Smile with a
Scale and Clean in Yokine

A scale and clean usually isn’t painful. Many people find it comfortable and even refreshing. Your dentist will consider your comfort and gently remove plaque and tartar from your teeth.

However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s pain threshold and experience can vary. Dentists have the option to use a manual scaler for patients with sensitive teeth or those who experience anxiety during dental procedures. This helps alleviate any discomfort and provides a smoother experience during the treatment.

At Sage Dental, our commitment to professional, high-quality dental care is evident in our gentle approach to scale and clean procedures. We understand that dental treatments can be daunting, which is why our experienced team strives to provide a comfortable experience. By combining advanced techniques with a compassionate touch, we make the scale and clean process a pleasant experience for our patients.

The recommended frequency of scale and clean appointments is every six months. However, it can vary based on individual oral health needs. Here’s what your dentist might consider:

• Gum Health:
  If you’ve had gum problems or gum disease, you might need cleanings more often. Your dentist may recommend a scale and clean every three to four months.
• Plaque and Tartar:
  If your teeth are prone to plaque and tartar buildup due to crowded teeth or appliances, like orthodontic braces, it’s generally recommended to have a scale and clean performed more frequently than the standard six-month interval. 
• Medical Conditions:
  Some health conditions, such as diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and dry mouth, can affect your teeth and gums and increase your risk for gum disease. Because of this, more frequent scale and clean treatment is recommended.
• Smoking:
  Smoking and chewing tobacco causes teeth staining and bad breath and increases your risk of gum disease. To manage this, more frequent cleanings can be helpful. Patients are advised to have a scale and clean every 3 to 4 months to help manage plaque and tartar buildup and early detection of gum issues.

Consult with your dentist for personalised guidance regarding the recommended scheduling of these appointments.

The scaling and cleaning procedure duration can vary based on individual factors and the extent of cleaning needed. Generally, a scaling and cleaning appointment takes around 30 minutes to an hour.

The goal of the procedure is the thorough and meticulous cleaning of your teeth, including removing plaque, tartar, and stains. During your scale and clean appointment, the dentist will not only remove plaque and tartar but also assess your overall oral health. This assessment may include checking for signs of gum disease and offering advice on oral hygiene practices. These preventive aspects contribute to the appointment’s overall duration.

After a scale and clean procedure, it’s generally safe to eat immediately. However, suppose you’ve received fluoride treatment during your appointment. In that case, it’s advisable to wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking to allow the fluoride to fully adhere to your teeth and be effective.

If your gums are sensitive or you experienced discomfort during the cleaning, you might want to start with soft foods or liquids and avoid extremely hot, cold, or spicy foods for a few hours. This can help prevent any irritation or discomfort with your freshly cleaned teeth and gums.

Always follow any specific instructions your dentist gives, as they may have specific recommendations based on the details of your treatment.

Scaling and cleaning primarily focus on removing plaque and tartar from your teeth to improve hygiene and oral health. Since a scale and clean effectively removes plaque and tartar, it can result in whiter teeth, as these substances often cause discolouration. However, its primary goal is not tooth whitening.

If you are specifically interested in teeth whitening services to achieve a brighter smile, discussing this with your dental provider is essential. Tooth whitening is a separate dental service. It is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves using a whitening solution to lighten the colour of your teeth and achieve a whiter appearance.

Scaling and polishing are both essential components of a dental cleaning procedure, but they serve slightly different purposes for your dental health:

Scaling

• Scaling removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the surfaces of your teeth, including areas above and below the gumline. If not addressed, plaque and tartar can lead to various oral health issues, including gum disease.
• It is a vital dental procedure that helps prevent and manage gum disease by removing the buildup of bacteria and debris.
• Scaling is performed by qualified dentists using scalers and curettes to remove these deposits with utmost care.

Polishing

• Polishing is the step that follows scaling and involves the smoothing and polishing of the tooth surfaces.
• A dentist uses a polishing tool and a mildly abrasive polishing paste to remove surface stains, minor imperfections, and residual plaque or bacteria.
• Polishing enhances the appearance of your teeth by making them smoother and more aesthetically pleasing.
• It gives your teeth a clean and shiny appearance, which many patients find refreshing and visually appealing.

Both procedures are performed during routine dental cleanings to maintain oral hygiene and the beauty of one’s smile.

The cost of a scale and clean is approximately $230 to $350 on average.

For a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, we strongly advise scheduling a consultation with Sage Dental. Our dental professionals will provide you with a breakdown of the estimated cost based on your unique oral health requirements.

To determine if your health fund covers the cost of cleaning teeth, you’ll need to check your specific health fund plan. Cover for preventive services can vary greatly among health funds and individual policies. Here’s how you can proceed:

• Review your policy:
  Look into your health fund details to see if it covers preventative services, particularly the cost of dental cleaning or scale and clean. 
• Understand your cover level:
  Plans differ in their dental cover. Some might only cover a portion of the cost, while others could cover the full amount.
• Be aware of annual limits:
  Your plan may have limits on how much you can claim for dental services each year.
• Check for waiting periods:
  Some health fund plans require a waiting period before covering certain dental treatments.

For precise information, contact your health fund directly. They can provide specific details about your cover for a scale and clean in Yokine.