Dental Scaling in St. John's, NL - Avalon Dental Centre

Dental services through MCP Dental Coverage in Newfoundland.

Scaling is the process of removing dental plaque and calculus (often referred to as tarter) from your teeth.

The bacteria in plaque can cause the gum to become inflamed which can lead to bleeding and pocket formation (deep spaced under the gum) and eventual breakdown of the bone that surrounds the teeth and holds them in the jaw. Scaling can help in preventing gum disease.

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What to know:

It’s important to remove plaque daily by brushing along the gumline and cleaning between the teeth with floss or other hygiene aids such as soft picks, proxy brushes, water flossers, etc.

If your gums bleed, that tells us that things are not as healthy as they should be and you need to continue to brush and floss to make the bleeding stop with healthier gums.

What to expect:

A hygienist is performing a patients dental exam. An exam is performed before all services including dental fillings, dental sealants, etc.

Oral Cancer Screening

This quick and painless process involves examining your mouth, lips, tongue, and throat for any signs of abnormalities or suspicious lesions. Early detection of oral cancer can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment.

Checking/measuring bone and gum levels

Our team will carefully check and measure your gum and bone levels to identify any signs of periodontal disease. This involves gently probing around your teeth to measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums.

A patient is getting x-rayed with an Orthophos XG machine

X-rays and check up with Dentist

To get a comprehensive view of your oral health, we will take X-rays of your teeth and jaw. These images help us identify any hidden problems, such as cavities, impacted teeth, or bone loss, that are not visible during a regular exam.

Scaling, polish & fluoride as needed

After scaling, we will polish your teeth to remove surface stains and give them a smooth, shiny finish. Finally, if needed, a fluoride treatment will be applied to strengthen your tooth enamel and protect against cavities.

After Care:

Oral Hygiene Instructions (OHI): After your scaling appointment, our dental team will provide you with detailed oral hygiene instructions tailored to your specific needs.
Brushing and Flossing Methods and Techniques: We will demonstrate the most effective brushing and flossing methods and techniques to ensure you are cleaning your teeth properly.

Education on Nutrition: Our team will educate you on how nutrition impacts your teeth and gums, providing advice on foods that promote dental health and those to avoid.
Education on Other OH Tools: If needed, we will introduce you to additional tools such as Waterpik water flossers and electric toothbrushes, explaining their benefits and how to use them effectively.

Take the Next Step in Optimum Oral Health

From comprehensive oral examinations to full mouth restorations, we are here to assist you. We will provide you with reliable solutions based on your oral health needs. We service St. John’s and surrounding areas.

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FAQ related to scaling

Why do I need to cancel my cleaning if I have an active cold sore (herpes)?accounts@newfoundmarketing.ca2024-05-29T20:01:45+00:00

Why do I need to cancel my cleaning if I have an active cold sore (herpes)?

When we are working in your mouth, we are pulling and stretching tissues along with spraying water therefore causing a risk to spread the cold sore (herpes) to other areas of the like your eyes.

Why can’t I get a cleaning until 6 months after a heart attack?accounts@newfoundmarketing.ca2024-05-29T20:00:56+00:00

Why can’t I get a cleaning until 6 months after a heart attack?

When you get your teeth cleaned, we are stirring up the bacteria under the gumline. In doing this it can make a patient more susceptible to systemic infections. For this reason, we wait 6 months or would need your specialist approval if it’s before the 6-month protocol.

Your oral health affects your overall health.

Can I only get one cleaning a year?accounts@newfoundmarketing.ca2024-05-29T20:00:01+00:00

Can I only get one cleaning a year?

This is a common misunderstanding with your insurance plan. Every insurance gives you a certain amount of units of scale, which is the time spent on scaling your teeth. For example, some insurance companies (provincial government) give you 12 units of scale per calendar year. On average a patient would use 2 units at one visit, so technically you could have your teeth scaled 6 times a year.

The 6 – 9 months is normally the maximum for a recall exam (check-up) or polish.

Why do I get a lot of build up on my lower front teeth?accounts@newfoundmarketing.ca2024-05-29T19:55:10+00:00

Why do I get a lot of build up on my lower front teeth?

This is because of the proximity of the saliva glands that are located behind those teeth under the tip of the tongue. Some people have more active glands than others therefore creating quicker and heavier build-up.

Why do my gums bleed when I floss?accounts@newfoundmarketing.ca2024-05-29T19:54:09+00:00

Why do my gums bleed when I floss?

Bleeding gums tell us that things are not as healthy as they should be and you need to continue to brush and floss to make the bleeding stop with healthier gums.

Why do we need scaling?accounts@newfoundmarketing.ca2024-05-29T19:53:30+00:00

Why do we need scaling?

It helps prevent gum disease.

Dental Scaling

More commonly known as "cleaning" or "dental cleaning"