How Does Gum Scaling Help Treat Gum Disease?

April 11, 2023

Gum scaling is a procedure in which your dental hygienist will gently scrape the sides of your teeth just below the gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria.

A gum scaling procedure provides a more effective treatment for gum disease than a regular teeth cleaning because it allows your hygienist to reach into the periodontal pocket on the side of the tooth, which can help treat gum disease [1].

But how exactly does gum scaling help treat gum disease? Here’s what you need to know.

Removes Bacteria and Toxins for Healthy Gums

During a gum scaling procedure, bacteria, plaque, and tartar are removed from underneath the gumline. These substances, which are an accumulation of bacteria, food particles, and saliva, are what can build up and cause the irritation, inflammation, and infection seen in gum disease. When not removed regularly through flossing and brushing, they can cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease.

Gum scaling involves physically removing plaque and tartar, which also include bacteria and endotoxins, the toxins the reside in the bacteria cells [2]. By doing so, your immune system is activated, which stimulates healing in the mouth so gums can reattach to the teeth and prevent bacteria from entering these areas again.

Supercharge Your Cleaning Routine

Gum scaling is essentially a deeper cleaning than a traditional teeth cleaning or your at home oral care will provide. Therefore, gum scaling helps supplement your brushing and flossing routine to keep bacteria out of these periodontal pockets and keep gums securely attached to the teeth.

Research shows that gum scaling may be necessary not just once, but as a maintenance treatment to keep gum disease from coming back in susceptible patients [3]. So while you should absolutely still brush and floss at home, keeping your regular teeth cleanings at intervals determined by your dentist can help keep gum disease from returning.

When Gum Scaling Is Most Effective

Gum scaling is typically only an effective treatment if you have mild to moderate gum disease. People who have severe or advanced gum disease will likely need additional treatments to return their smile to normal and help the gum tissue reattach to the teeth.

Seeing your dentist for a gum scaling can help reverse the early stages of gum disease and prevent further treatments from being needed, especially when you keep up with your regular teeth cleanings. And don’t worry—a gum scaling will be done with a local anesthetic if necessary, so you will experience no pain during the procedure.

Your dentist will also let you know how to properly care for your smile after a gum scaling procedure to ensure that your smile stays healthy, so be sure to follow their instructions closely.

Could You Benefit from a Gum Scaling Procedure?

A gum scaling procedure can typically be done in one or two appointments with your dentist and can have big benefits for treating gum disease. Could you benefit from gum scaling?

Have your dentist evaluate your gum health today!