Scale and Clean
in Bacchus Marsh

How often you will need a scale and clean in Bacchus Marsh will depend on several factors, including your oral hygiene habits and overall oral health.

In general, people with healthy teeth and gums need to have their teeth scaled and cleaned every six months. However, your visits will be more frequently scheduled if you’ve previously had gum disease—more likely, 3-4 months apart.

Please don’t hesitate to ask our dental team during your appointment to find out exactly how often you need a scale and clean. They’ll be able to take into account your dental history and give you an informed recommendation.

During a scale and clean procedure, your dentist will first use a small mirror to examine your teeth and assess the amount of tartar that has built up. Then, they will use a scaler to remove the tartar from above and below the gum line.

The scaler is a small, hand-held tool that has a pointed end that vibrates rapidly. This vibration helps to loosen the tartar so that it can be removed more easily. Once the tartar has been removed, your reliable dentist will use a dental pick to clean any remaining deposits from your teeth.

Finally, they will brush your teeth with a special toothbrush and floss between each tooth to remove any plaque that has been left behind. Dental cleaning in Bacchus Marsh usually takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete, leaving your teeth looking shiny and polished.

After you’ve had a professional scale and clean at the dentist, it’s important to do everything you can to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Dos:

• Wait at least 30 minutes before eating and drinking, especially if you had fluoride treatment after your scale and clean.
• The first night after treatment, brush the area very lightly. The next day, begin flossing the area gently, then resume brushing and flossing normally the following week.
• To reduce pain and swelling, rinse with warm salt water three times a day. Use a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swish it around, and then spit it out.
• You should also keep yourself hydrated. After a scale and clean, your mouth may feel a bit dry and sensitive. Keeping yourself hydrated helps relieve dryness and reduce sensitivity. 

Don’ts:

• Refrain from using tobacco products for at least 72 hours after the procedure to promote faster healing.
• Avoid hot foods and beverages for at least 4 hours, so as not to exacerbate teeth sensitivity and to allow the fluoride to set if you had fluoride treatment. 
• Sugary drinks can be harsh on your freshly cleaned teeth, so avoiding them is a good idea.
• While your gums are healing, do not consume alcohol or foods that are spicy.
• Avoid eating hard and acidic foods such as oranges and tomatoes, as well as foods that are challenging to chew, like steaks and large burgers, as they would interfere with the healing process.

If you have any bleeding, sensitivity, or discomfort that continues beyond three or four days, please don’t hesitate to contact our family dental clinic. Our dental team at Magical Smiles Bacchus Marsh will be happy to assess your condition and give you detailed post-care instructions so you can recover smoothly.

Dental scaling and cleaning may always be combined, but they are two different procedures. A dental cleaning is what most people think of when they visit the dentist – it involves removing surface stains and plaque from the teeth.

Teeth scaling, on the other hand, goes a step further by also removing tartar and bacteria from under the gum line. This is an important procedure for maintaining oral health, as bacteria can lead to gum disease if left unchecked.

Many people worry that teeth scaling will be painful. However, your caring dentist will use local anaesthesia to numb the area and prevent discomfort. You may feel a slight scraping sensation as your dentist removes tartar from your teeth. But overall, the procedure itself is usually quick and easy, and most patients report very little discomfort and may also feel sensitivity afterwards.

If you have any concerns about the scale and cleaning process, be sure to discuss them with our friendly team beforehand. They will be happy to answer any questions and put your mind at ease.

Scale and clean treatments are considered preventive dental care and are generally covered by dental health insurance. However, it is important to check with your health fund provider to see what level of cover they provide for scale and clean treatments.