Regular scaling: how often, and why it matters

Scaling (removing tartar) is the simplest preventive procedure and the one that prevents the most: gingivitis, periodontitis, bad breath, and it lets the dentist spot decay or other changes in the mouth early. The usual question is "how often". The short answer: it depends on you, usually every six months, and more often for some people.

How tartar forms

After eating, bacteria in the mouth form a soft film on the teeth called plaque. Brushing and flossing remove plaque. But wherever it is missed, within a few days plaque absorbs minerals from saliva and hardens into tartar. Tartar bonds firmly to the tooth, and its rough surface becomes a foothold for more plaque. Brushing cannot remove tartar; only the dentist's instruments can.

Tartar tends to collect on the inside of the lower front teeth and the outside of the upper back teeth, near the salivary glands, and below the gum line where you cannot see it.

Benefits of regular check-ups and cleaning

• Gums stop being inflamed and stop bleeding: tartar and plaque are the main cause. See Bleeding gums and gingivitis.
• Prevents periodontitis and tooth loss in the long run.
• Fresher breath.
• Brighter teeth, because coffee, tea and tobacco stains are polished away.
• Early detection of decay, leaking fillings, cracked teeth, wear and lesions of the lining of the mouth, while they are still easy and inexpensive to treat.
• For people who are pregnant, diabetic or have heart disease, healthy gums are also part of general health.

How often

There is no single right number. The dentist assesses how fast tartar forms, the state of your gums and your risk:

• Every six months: the usual interval for people with healthy gums and good hygiene.
• Every three to four months: people being treated for periodontitis, smokers, people with diabetes, braces or implants, people who form tartar quickly, or who find it hard to clean thoroughly.
• Once a year: some people form very little tartar and have very healthy gums; the dentist may lengthen the interval.

The interval can change over time; the dentist tells you after each visit. For patients of Asahii Dental Clinic, the next date is sent as an automatic reminder through the Zalo Mini App, and every routine visit earns points in the clinic's loyalty programme.

What happens at a scaling visit

The dentist examines you, assesses the gums, then uses an ultrasonic tip that vibrates the tartar off the teeth with a water spray to cool it, together with hand instruments for the deeper areas below the gum. The teeth are then polished with a rotating cup and fine paste, and fluoride may be applied. A visit usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Heavy tartar or periodontitis may need several visits. Asahii is open every day of the week, 08:30 to 19:00, so a visit this short fits into a lunch break or a weekend for people with busy schedules.

How it feels afterwards

• Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days, especially on root surfaces just cleared of tartar: use desensitising toothpaste and avoid cold and acidic food for a few days.
• Slight bleeding of the gums for a day or two if they were inflamed; keep brushing gently.
• A feeling that the gaps between teeth are "wider": the spaces that tartar used to fill are now open, and the gum closes in again as the inflammation settles.
• Teeth are not weakened or worn by correctly performed scaling; the odd feeling comes from the tartar being gone.

When to see us straight away

• Greatly swollen, painful gums with pus.
• Loose teeth, or pain on biting.
• Heavy or prolonged gum bleeding.

The right interval for you can only be set after an examination. See our preventive dentistry page, or book an examination and scaling by hotline 0928 888 121, Zalo or the clinic's Mini App; Asahii is at 2 Lane 37 Le Thanh Nghi Street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi.