Why You Should Avoid Dental Scaling Tools

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Whether you maintain perfect oral hygiene or you don't put in as much time as you should, it's possible for you to hurt your oral hygiene with a dental scaler. While this tool is useful in a dentist's office when used by a professional hygienist or dentist, it can cause serious problems in the hands of an amateur. Read on to discover what this tool is, how it can hurt you, and what you should do if you've already experienced damage due to a dental scaling tool.

What Are Dental Scalers

Dental scalers are a tool that dentists use to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. They look like a small metal hook on the end of a long stick, and it's one of the most commonly used tools in a dentist's office. Due to the strength of the metal and the point at the end of the hook, they can be used to scrape away even the most stubborn tartar from teeth.

Dental scalers are often sold in dental hygiene kits at supermarkets and pharmacies, but unfortunately, these little tools can cause a lot of damage to your teeth.

How They Can Cause Problems

The problem with dental scalers lies in their strength. A dental scaling tool is strong enough to remove tartar, which also makes it strong enough to damage enamel. If you use too much force while using a scaling tool, you could potentially scratch through the enamel on your teeth, exposing the delicate dentin underneath. From here, it could actually be easier for your tooth to develop a cavity since the exposed dentin is vulnerable.

In addition, dental scaling tools can potentially harm people who use them on themselves by simply scratching the wrong areas. Dental scalers are often used to try and remove debris from between teeth. Unfortunately, if your hand slips, you could end up stabbing your gums with the end of the dental scaler. In short, whatever your reason is for wanting to use the scaler, it's not a safe tool to try and use without proper training.

What To Do If You Hurt Yourself

If you think you've damaged your teeth or gums with a dental scaler, you should get to a dentist office as soon as possible. The longer dentin is exposed to bacteria, the more likely it is that you'll develop a cavity. Gums that are pierced by a scaler are also more susceptible to infections, and bacteria could potentially get into the wound and even spread through your bloodstream.

If you're worried about the health of your gums and teeth, stick to flossing, brushing, and visiting your dentist's office regularly. If you think you have a tartar build-up or there's a foreign object stuck between your teeth, it's better to get help from a professional than to try and take matters into your own hands. You'll avoid hurting yourself and avoid causing dental damage that takes more time and money to repair than if you'd sought assistance from the start.


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