
“Is it true that scaling makes teeth weaker?”
Many people do not think of scaling as something as serious as cavity treatment or implants,
but when it is time to get it done, they often feel afraid.
Even when teeth look fine on the surface,
tartar that builds up between the teeth and gums
gradually worsens gum disease without being seen.
Hello.
I am Lim Jong-woo,
Chief Director of Gwanghwamun The Square Dental Clinic.
Today, I’d like to clear up common misunderstandings patients often have,
and talk about scaling so you can understand it properly.

Why is scaling necessary?
Plaque (a mass of bacteria) builds up
on the tooth surface and between the gums,
and when it hardens, it turns into tartar.
Since it can never be removed by brushing alone,
scaling is the process of removing tartar
using professional instruments.
Over time, tartar slowly dissolves the jawbone around the gums,
weakening the support that holds the teeth in place.

Does scaling wear down the teeth?
Because of the “sizzling” sound made by the scaling machine,
it may feel as if the teeth are being ground down.
But in reality, the sound comes not from the tooth surface,
but from hard tartar breaking off.
The reason teeth feel sensitive after scaling
is also not because the teeth have been shaved down.
It is because the roots of the teeth, which had been covered by tartar,
are exposed and become temporarily sensitive.
Usually, you adjust within a few days, and with proper care, it gradually becomes more comfortable.

Is once a year enough for scaling—? ❌
Many people mistakenly think,
because health insurance covers it once a year,
that “scaling only needs to be done once a year.”
It depends on your gum condition and how quickly tartar builds up.
Smokers, people with diabetes, and those with weak gums
may need it every six months,
and if you are someone who forms tartar quickly,
you may need more frequent care.
Please remember that the interval for scaling should be based not on the “insurance standard”
but on “the health of my gums.”

The most basic and important treatment for helping teeth last longer
Scaling is not a treatment that weakens teeth.
Most of the fear people have
comes from misunderstandings.
Through regular checkups and scaling,
if you protect your gum health,
you can greatly reduce the chance of suffering from periodontal disease.
I hope you will receive scaling with the right understanding,
instead of fear.
_
Gwanghwamun The Square Dental Clinic
From Lim Jong-woo, Chief Director
