Cleaning and scaling at home
Bleeding gums, bad breath and loose teeth usually start with tartar nobody can brush away. Removing it at home is quick, and it matters more than it sounds.
Gum disease is the main reason older people lose teeth, and it is linked to chest infections in people who are frail or who aspirate. A scale and polish removes the hardened plaque that causes it — at home, in about twenty minutes, with the portable unit.
We do it as part of a routine examination or on its own, and for PRSI-covered patients the annual scale and polish is subsidised, which we claim for you.
Who this is for
- Anyone with bleeding, sore or receding gums
- People whose brushing is limited by dexterity, dementia or dependence on others
- Nursing home residents, as part of a clinic day
- PRSI-covered patients entitled to a subsidised scale and polish
What happens on the visit
Check the gums
Where the gums bleed, where pockets have formed, and whether any tooth is loose. This decides how much cleaning is needed and whether a tooth is beyond saving.
Scale
Tartar is removed above and just below the gum line with hand and ultrasonic instruments from the portable unit. Anaesthetic gel is used where the gums are tender.
Polish and protect
Teeth are polished, fluoride varnish applied where there is a decay risk, and the areas that were missed by brushing are pointed out to whoever helps.
Advice that fits the person
The right brush, the right technique for the person's dexterity, and — often the most useful thing — a small change to how a carer helps.
Afterwards
Gums that bled at the visit usually stop within a week or two of better cleaning. We ask families to phone if bleeding continues, or if a tooth feels looser rather than firmer.
Cost and cover
A scale and polish is subsidised under the PRSI scheme once per calendar year, and covered for many medical card holders under the DTSS. We check entitlement before the visit. See what a visit costs and every way it can be paid for.
Questions families ask about this
If your question is not answered here, please give us a call — it is quicker than a form.
Does it hurt?
Tender gums are numbed with a gel. Most patients find it no worse than a firm brush, and gums that are inflamed feel better within days.
How often should it be done?
Once a year for most people; every three to six months for someone with gum disease or limited brushing. We set the interval at the visit.
Can it be done for someone with dementia?
Usually, yes — in short stages, at the person's pace, with a family member or carer they trust close by. We stop if it is distressing and try again another day.
Arrange a visit
Tell us who the patient is and where they are, and we will phone you back the same working day with what a visit would involve and what it is likely to cost.