Scale and Polish from the Dental Hygienist

Scaling and Polishing Singapore

A bad thing about a dental hygienist is that they are continuously being asked on how they are doing Scale and Polish. There's nothing personal, I know they're just treating us like any other patient, but when we go to have our 6 months teeth polishing and scaling we feel like we could have done a better job. But then again, we must note that dentists just don't like a hygienist Scale and Polish in Singapore.

First of all, what exactly is a Scale and Polish?

Scaling and polishing words can be interchanged with Scale, and Clean or Dental Clean. It's the process of getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist in layman's terms, but I hate using the word ' Clean' because people ' Clean' their teeth everyday (or so I hope!). Scaling is when we debride (remove) the teeth from the calculus / tartar / calcified plaque. Clean is just that, we clean the teeth with a drop of prophy paste and remove the stains.

So why don't we just go see a Dental Hygienist instead?

Well I've seen a dental hygienist technically before. She was one of my friends and I trusted her with what she was doing, so I knew if I didn't like what she was doing, I could just tell her off =) However, one of the main reasons I don't see a dental hygienist is that the dental office I am going to doesn't have a dental hygienist and I don't want to change dentists yet.

Another explanation for this is that hygienists use more Hand Scalars than dentists. Most dentists use only the ultrasonic scalar for a typical patient, but a hygienist will use both the ultrasonic and hand scalars (which is why we take longer). Scaling and polishing tools are sharp and if used incorrectly they can hurt badly which leads to my next explanation.

Procedure for Preventive Dental Treatment

Preventive dental treatment is an ongoing process, and you will need to have a dental check up at least a couple of times a year to make sure they are not fresh. The dentist will do a thorough check of your teeth and gums during your first visit and will advise you which care is actually needed based on your oral health.

Some cavities will be filled, and it may be appropriate to smooth out old fillings. You'll then scale down and brush your teeth. This process involves washing all the plaque and tartar to ensure proper cleaning and removal of all the bacteria. You'll then have a consultation with the dentist or an oral hygienist who will instruct you precisely how to look after your teeth at home and what items you should use. A clear brushing and flossing procedure is typically demonstrated so that all the bacteria can be completely removed.

At the end of the day, I have trust issues when it comes to people working in my mouth, as I'm privileged to certain details. And I have always wanted to be able to give myself a scaling and polishing! On the other hand, I personally think a dental hygienist would do a more detailed Scale and Polish job than a typical dentist. All I need to do is forget all those negative feedback and hold my ears out for positive feedback, so maybe I can find myself a hygienist with whom I am confident.