Hwagok Station Scaling: Curious About the Interval and How Long It Takes?

Hello, this is E-pyeonhan Sesang Dental Clinic.

Among dental treatments, one that many people are curious about is scaling.

Among those who come in for scaling, many are curious about how long scaling takes and how often it should be done.

So today, we would like to answer in detail the questions many people have.

If you are curious about scaling treatment, we hope you will find helpful information in today’s post.

Scaling Questions, First

Scaling Time and Interval

Scaling is, as the name suggests, a treatment that removes tartar on the surface of the teeth (plaque that has hardened).

Since it cannot be removed by brushing alone, scaling uses dental instruments or an ultrasonic scaler to remove tartar and foreign substances.

Tartar can form not only on visible areas, but also between the teeth and gums, and especially in areas that are not easy to see, such as the inside of the lower front teeth and the outside of the upper molars, so it is easy to leave it untreated.

Because this tartar can cause periodontal disease, it needs to be removed regularly.

So how long does scaling take?

Many people visit thinking, “If I’m only getting scaling, it won’t take long, right?”

In general, scaling takes about 15 to 30 minutes. However, this varies from person to person.

If there is a lot of tartar, if gum inflammation is severe, or if it has been a long time since the last scaling, it may take longer.

On the other hand, if you usually take good care of your oral health and receive scaling regularly, it may even be finished in under 10 minutes.

If tartar is deep below the gums or if more careful treatment is judged necessary, scaling may be done in one or two separate sessions.

Just as the time required differs from person to person, the interval can also vary.

As many people know, scaling is covered by national health insurance once a year.

Because of this, some people mistakenly think that scaling only needs to be done once a year.

Of course, for people who take good care of their teeth, once a year may be sufficient, but depending on the condition of the gums and oral hygiene habits, more frequent scaling may be necessary.

People who smoke, have gum disease, or have previously received periodontal treatment sometimes get scaling every 3 to 6 months.

Even if none of the situations above apply, tartar builds up faster than expected, so if you do not brush well on a regular basis, it is a good idea to consider getting scaling at intervals shorter than one year.

Scaling Questions, Second

The Relationship Between Scaling and Whitening

There is one piece of scaling information that many people misunderstand: whitening.

Some people think that scaling will provide whitening treatment.

In fact, some even say their teeth look brighter after scaling.

However, one thing to point out here is that scaling and teeth whitening are clearly different treatments.

Scaling only removes stains, tartar, and food debris that have accumulated on the tooth surface, helping restore the teeth’s original color; it is not a treatment that changes the color of the teeth.

On the other hand, teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that uses whitening agents such as hydrogen peroxide to chemically brighten the color inside the teeth.

Therefore, the two treatments are clearly different.

After scaling, the removal of surface stains can make teeth look brighter, and since scaling is part of the pretreatment process for teeth whitening, the two treatments are sometimes confused.

It is best to clearly understand the difference between the two treatments and choose the method that suits you.

Scaling Questions, Third

Things to Keep in Mind After Scaling

Because scaling is such a common preventive treatment that is not limited to any age group, many people think there are no special precautions after treatment.

Of course, it is not as difficult to manage after treatment as wisdom tooth extraction or implant surgery, but following the precautions can help you recover more quickly.

First, right after treatment, it is recommended to avoid not only very hot or cold foods but also drinks with strong acidity.

Because the tooth surface is temporarily sensitive after scaling, eating or drinking such stimulating items may cause sensitivity.

Second, more careful oral care is needed after scaling.

Right after scaling, some people neglect flossing and brushing because their gums are swollen or bleeding.

If that happens, tartar and plaque can build up again, which may lead to gum inflammation.

In such cases, we recommend using a soft toothbrush and brushing slowly and thoroughly.

Lastly, it is best to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking for at least 1 to 2 days.

In particular, smoking can interfere with gum recovery and cause inflammation.

Therefore, please avoid excessive drinking and smoking immediately after scaling. If you have never had scaling before, or if you do not clearly remember when your last scaling was, we hope you will take this opportunity to get scaling.

If you have not had scaling this year, national health insurance coverage is available until the end of December 2025, so why not make time before the deadline and take care of your oral health?

This has been E-pyeonhan Sesang Dental Clinic. Thank you.