Pick or Scale Your Own Teeth

Home-scaling devices are available in drug stores but they can easily injure teeth and gums.  Gouging root surfaces, chipping enamel, or pushing calculus under the gumline resulting in an abscess are all negative outcomes of home-scalers.  Toothbrushes, floss, interdental brushes, proxabrushes, wooden toothpicks, and soft plastic floss picks can all be used safely and effectively at home.  Root scaling and planing is best done by a hygienist or dentist.  Tooth decay and gum abnormalities are found early at your check-ups and prevent costly repairs and tooth loss  from gum disease.