Why is excessive scaling harmful for dental health?

Introduction

We are taught from an early age that Dental health is an important part of our general well being. Simple brushing and flossing are instilled to maintain white teeth but oral health is much more than clean teeth. Proper oral hygiene should be maintained by cleaning gums, palate, tongue, throat, mouth or lips. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental caries, any gum disease or may be any GI tract disorders. Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque and formation of plaque starts when teeth are not properly cleaned and this process leads to inflammation. Inflammation leads to built small pockets between gums and teeth. When these pockets are filled with plaque, then cannot be removed with regular brushing. The effective treatment to tackle plaque and tartar is tooth scaling along with root planning.

Scaling

Is the procedure that helps us to keep our teeth or gums healthy and firm. It is used to remove infected deposits like plaque, stains or calculus that may cause periodontal disease pockets between tooth and gum starts to deepen), infection and loosening of gums or may lead to pyorrhoea and also tooth loss.

Benefits Of Scaling

Scaling is an easy way to maintain our teeth and gums healthy. Here are some of the benefits of scaling-

• Better gum health – Lodged plaque, tartar may lead to infection so its removal reduces the risk of any Gum Disease.
• Avoid cavities and tooth decay – These are the beginning point of any major oral issue so we use scaling to prevent oral infections.
• Remove stains – Regular consumption of tea, coffee and coloured drinks, wine, and alcohol causes stains on the teeth. Scaling helps to remove all these stains from the tooth surface and gives whiten teeth.
• Prevent bad breath – Plaque and tartar are the hard substances that lodged on the tooth results in infection or bacterial growth in the mouth which ultimately leads to bad breath (Halitosis). With daily brushing you can get partial results but can completely get rid by scaling.
• Protect general health – Mouth disease can lead to many serious diseases like diabetes, GIT diseases, certain cancers and many others.here, scaling and cleaning is the protective way to reduce your disk.

How Frequently Scaling Should Be Done

Plaque formation on the teeth is a continuous process, this must be removed on a daily basis by brushing, if not then it starts converting into tartar within 10-12 hours. These persons may require scaling. The Golden rule is to get advice from your dentist to do scaling or not. Ideally it should be done every 6 months. However it majorly depends on periodontal status.

Why Is Excessive Scaling Harmful For Dental Health?

Complications associated with teeth scaling are-

• Improper teeth scaling can loosen teeth – there are fair chances of losing multiple teeth.
• Improper teeth scaling causes periodontal disease – this is a painless disease but is a progressive in nature. The leading cause of periodontal disease is build-up of plaque or tartar underneath the gum line. Prevention of accumulation of bacteria and food particles on a daily basis for maintaining periodontal health.
• Swollen or painful gums – frequent scaling procedures fairly avoids future deposition of plaque bacteria beneath the gum line, which helps to prevent dental complications. But in many patients excessive scaling leads to swollen and painful gums and even develops sensitivity to cold and hot food. Incompetent scaling exposes roots and gums begin to shrink ultimately resulting in bleeding of the gums.

How Can Ayurveda Help?

Ayurveda is an ancient science and is one of the world’s oldest healing systems that treats the body as a whole and believes that health and wellness depends on fine balance between mind, body, and soul. The concepts of universal interconnection, the body’s constitution (Prakriti), and Dosha are the primary basis of Ayurvedic medicine. In Ayurveda three Doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha are responsible to keep the body tissue and organs in harmony. Every disease is caused due to the imbalance of Tridoshas and here in this context as we discussed, plaque and tartar is deposited on the tooth which spreads infection and causes periodontal diseases and many others. In tooth disorders the vata and kapha dosha dushti is predominantly present.

To get rid of this, some ayurvedic herbs can help and they are mentioned below –

• Holy Basil
• Turmeric paste
• Sage leaf
• Licorice root
• Oil pulling method / Gandoosh

1. Holy Basil

Its botanical name is Ocimum tenuiflorum (tulsi) belonging to the Lamiaceae family, an aromatic perennial plant. Tulsi has antioxidant, anti inflammatory, anti microbial, anti cancerous, and immuno modulatory properties. Also good for GI tract disorders. Tulsi is an effective herb to treat yellow teeth. It has bleaching properties that prevent straining from the food and drinks by giving white and bright glow.

How to use – dry some tulsi leaves in the sun, grind them into powder and mix it with toothpaste to brush teeth 1-2 times every day.

2. Turmeric paste

Its botanical name is Curcuma longa belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant. It has anti-inflammatory properties that are permanent hence the results are long lasting. This magnificent remedy gives relief almost instantly and reduces the pain and swelling in all parts of the body. Turmeric also has antimicrobial properties and also prevents straining from the food and drinks by giving white and bright texture.

How to use – Mix a small amount of turmeric powder into water and create paste then apply on teeth with a brush for about 2 minutes.

3. Sage leaf

Its botanical name is Salvia officinalis belonging to the Lamiaceae family, an aromatic herb. It is very rich in vit. K also contains zinc, copper, magnesium etc. and an antioxidant, used as a natural cleansing agent and supports oral health. It has antimicrobial properties that can kill microbes that promote dental plaque.

How to use – by crushing the leaves on teeth and then rinse with boiled water of sage leaves after 3-5 minutes.

4. Licorice root

Its botanical name is Glycyrrhiza glabra belonging to the fabaceae family, is a perennial herb. It has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it a very effective herb in dental care health. This can help to prevent the pain and swelling in gums and tooth decay and also treats many throat disorders.

How to use – licorice root is used for whitening teeth. Chew its root and then rub on teeth.

5. Oil pulling method/ Gandoosh

Olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil have many health properties that are good for our well being. In Ayurveda the Gandoosh term is used for the oil pulling method. It is very useful for teeth, lips and gums, and for the throat also. It is very beneficial for maintenance of voice.

How to perform – the full mouth with the medicinal oil so that it cannot be turned or moved around inside the mouth cavity.

Conclusion

As if you are suffering from any oral problems, try these super herbs and have a balanced diet to maintain good health. They might help you to get relief from many oral problems.