Chungjeongno Station Scaling: Gums Quietly Breaking Down—It Starts with Tartar

Hello,

I am Jong-woo Lim,

Chief Dentist at Gwanghwamun The Square Dental Clinic.

Sometimes your gums bleed when you brush your teeth,

or you may feel that the spaces between your teeth

have become wider than before.

You may dismiss it by thinking, “It must be because I’m getting older,”

but various causes may be hidden behind these changes.

There Is More Than One Reason Gums Become Weaker

The causes of shrinking jawbone may include

aging,

or systemic conditions such as diabetes

and osteoporosis may also have an effect.

However, in many cases,

long-standing tartar buildup

and inflammation are behind it.

The problem is that this inflammation

progresses very slowly without causing pain.

As a result, most patients

do not notice any discomfort

and only visit the dentist after their teeth become loose

or their gums recede.

Traces of Bacteria That Cannot Be Seen

Every time we eat,

a bacterial film called dental plaque forms on the surface of our teeth.

If this plaque is not completely removed,

it combines with minerals in saliva

and hardens into tartar.

Although tartar appears hard,

it contains many tiny pores,

allowing bacteria to survive inside it.

These bacteria irritate the gums,

cause inflammation,

and eventually gradually destroy the bone that holds the teeth in place

(the alveolar bone).

The disease that develops in this way

is periodontitis.

Because damaged jawbone does not naturally grow back,

early management is especially important.

Scaling Is Treatment, Not Just Cleaning

Scaling is not simply a procedure

that cleans the teeth.

It is a treatment process that removes

hard, firmly attached masses of bacteria,

helping the gums breathe again.

Ultrasonic instruments

are not tools that shave down the teeth.

They are devices that separate tartar

using tiny vibrations.

The surface of the teeth is made of enamel,

the hardest substance in the human body,

so scaling does not damage it.

If your teeth feel sensitive after scaling,

or your gums seem to have receded,

this is only a temporary reaction

that occurs as previously swollen gums settle down.

It usually stabilizes after a few days.

Don’t Put It Off—Think of It as Maintenance

The rate at which tartar forms varies from person to person.

Because it depends on the amount of saliva,

brushing habits,

and tooth alignment,

the interval between regular scaling appointments

should be tailored to each individual.

The National Health Insurance coverage for scaling once a year

does not mean, “Have it done only then.”

It means,

“At the very least, be sure to have your teeth checked once during that time.”

Teeth are hard,

but the gums and bone that hold them in place

are delicate and sensitive.

The fact that they gradually deteriorate without causing pain

is the most significant characteristic of this disease.

Scaling is not a treatment that repairs

a problem that has already developed.

It is a preventive process that helps keep

the gums from getting worse.

With regular care and attention,

you can use your teeth for much longer

and with much greater comfort.

Regular care and small acts of attention

are the surest way to keep your teeth for a long time.

Gwanghwamun The Square Dental Clinic

Chief Dentist Jong-woo Lim