Cleaning (Scaling)
Cleaning (scaling) removes tartar (hardened plaque stuck on like stone) and bacterial film between the teeth and gums that brushing can't remove. It's the most basic form of gum care, and the starting point for both preventing and treating gum inflammation.
How often should you get it done?
We generally recommend a cleaning every 6 months to a year. For those age 19 and older, national health insurance covers one cleaning a year, so keeping to that schedule lowers the cost and also gives you a chance to have your gums checked. If you build up tartar quickly or have had gum treatment, you may need cleanings more often.
Why teeth feel sensitive after a cleaning
Tartar had been covering the space between the gum and the tooth, and once it's removed, the root area that had been hidden underneath is temporarily exposed and can feel sensitive. This reaction generally fades over time, and if it persists, it's worth checking whether there's another cause.
Dr. Jongbum Lee's approach — We make active use of the EMS Airflow device to gently remove tartar and stains.
Q. I heard cleanings create gaps between teeth — is that true?
A. It only looks like a gap because the space tartar had been filling is now empty — a cleaning doesn't shave the teeth or create gaps. Leaving tartar in that space lets gum inflammation progress, so putting off cleanings because you don't like how the gap looks gets things backward.
Related Information
- Gum Treatment in Uijeongbu — from cleanings (scaling) to tartar removal below the gumline
- Our Technology — including our EMS Airflow unit
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