Growing up amongst educators with the “spare the rod, spoil the child” policy, I have been taught to treat everyone equally. There has been no instance throughout my working life where I have formed a “gap” between me and my nurses or even my patients. As noble as my profession is just like many others, it does not seat me on a high horse – at least I am proud to say that I never seat myself on anything other than a well-cushioned chair that supports my herniated lumbar bones.

Gaps, although may be necessary when it invades your privacy need not be an important element in life while rendering services to the needy or tapping your co-workers on their shoulders. Life has its funny way of teaching us many things in life. We ought to attempt to clean our thoughts if its fuzzy or cloudy so that we can enjoy the virtues of life itself. We only live once, why live in a gloomy, cloudy, dusty environment between the bones of our calvaria?

Narrowing this life lesson into a more dentistry-suited context -it's common to think you're seeing new gaps after cleaning. These new spaces between the teeth could be the result of cleaning away hardened plaque. These gaps are empty spaces where calculus used to be. Calculus is hardened dental plaque (bacteria) that is white and can resemble tooth structure. Cleanings or commonly known as “scaling” remove the calculus, leaving space between teeth where calculus was previously.

Dental scaling is a common procedure used to help patients with gum disease and plaque build-up. A standard cleaning only deals with the surface of the tooth; scaling goes much deeper. If your dentist recommends dental scaling and root planning for your teeth, you should understand what this entails so you can plan accordingly.

Dental scaling can be bothersome, especially if you have sensitive gums. A local anaesthetic may be administered by your dentist to numb your gum tissue and make the procedure more comfortable. If you're worried about pain or discomfort during the procedure, talk to your dentist about your options for desensitising the area.

Dental scaling may require multiple visits, each addressing a different area of the mouth. Some dentists divide the mouth into four quadrants, while others divide it into two halves for dental scaling. If you're worried about the procedure, ask your dentist if you can have it done in a single visit. Though this isn't an option in every case, it may be an option if you only have moderate gum disease and are willing to sit through a lengthy procedure.

Following dental scaling and root planning, your mouth may feel sore and sensitive. For a few days after the procedure, some patients experience swelling or bleeding. To alleviate the discomfort, your dentist may recommend desensitising toothpaste. You may also be given a prescription mouthwash to use after the procedure to help keep your gums clean. It is critical that you brush and floss properly after your scaling to prevent plaque from forming again in the same areas.

After your dental scaling, your dentist should schedule a follow-up appointment to examine your gums, measure the depth of your gum pockets, and ensure that your mouth is healing properly. If your gum pockets have deepened since your scaling, you may need to consider additional treatment options to keep your smile healthy.

Dental scaling is a common treatment for gum disease patients. Gum disease affects nearly half of all American adults, so you're not alone if your dentist recommends this procedure. Scheduling dental scaling as needed can help you fight unseen plaque and keep your mouth clean. If your dentist recommends a deep cleaning, make an appointment as soon as possible. As a result, you'll have a brighter smile that you'll love.