When you visit your dentist's office for a cleaning, the dental hygienist uses specialized tools to clean your teeth. One of these tools is a dental ultrasonic scaler, also called a plaque scraper. You may have seen these tools for sale at your local store.
These metal tools have sharp cutting edges that dental hygienists use to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. During dental scaling, plaque is removed from the tooth surface and underneath the gumline. Hygienists might also scale the surfaces of the roots – a process known as root planing – to smooth the area and remove plaque and stain.
Removing plaque is important. When plaque is allowed to build up on the teeth, it can cause problems like gum disease and tooth decay. The bacteria in the plaque release acids as they feed, and these acids break down the tooth enamel. These acids can also lead to gum disease. However, while plaque needs to be removed, it shouldn't be done at home. It should be done by a dental professional, a dental hygienist or dentist.
Although plaque scrapers are widely available in stores, it's not a good idea to use them yourself. These tools are specialized medical tools and it takes training to learn how to use them safely. Dental hygienists must attend college or university to receive their degree, and most of these programs take at least two years to complete, explains the American Dental Association. This extensive training ensures that dental hygienists know how to use dental scalers and other tools safely.
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