Scaling is the removal of hard deposits from the surfaces of the teeth. Scaling is carried out by a dentist, dental therapist or hygienist. Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that builds up on your teeth. It is mostly made up of bacteria.
The bacteria in plaque feed on sugar from food and drink, producing acids as waste product. The acids attack the teeth by dissolving the minerals in the tooth surface. If this happens too often, tooth decay results. And if plaque is allowed to build up, the bacteria in it can cause gum disease, making your gums sore and infected. Tartar (also known as ‘calculus’, is formed by hardened plaque, helps plaque to gather and makes it harder to remove when your brush.
You can’t remove tartar just by brushing your teeth, but a dentist dental therapist or hygienist can remove it using special instruments – this is known as scaling.