3 Things To Know If You Need Scaling And Root Planing

One of the only reasons dentists perform scaling and root planing is to treat gum disease. Gum disease is not something you should ignore, as it will worsen over time if left untreated, and scaling and root planing is typically the first type of treatment a dentist will use to address gum disease. If you find out you need this dental service, here are three things you should know about it.

The purpose of scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing is the term used to describe the deep-cleaning process used on a person's gum lines when he or she has gum disease. Gum disease forms on the gum lines when bacteria gets inside the gums from the teeth. To treat the gum disease, a dentist will perform scaling and root planing. When this is complete and after the person's gums heal, the gum disease will most likely be gone, and the person's gums will be healthy and normal.

What this procedure involves

If you need to have this done, you may need to have the treatment split into two or three visits, simply because it is a tedious, time-consuming process. It can also be a painful process to go through, which is why your dentist will recommend giving you anesthesia before starting on it.

The process of scaling your gum lines involves scraping all the bacteria, tartar, and toxins from the pockets in your gum lines. This is often completed with a dental tool known as a scaler, and it can take time to complete it. After doing this, the dentist will plane the surfaces of your tooth roots, and this is done to smooth them out.

The effects scaling and root planing has on your mouth

When the dentist completes the entire procedure, you may feel pain and sensitivity with your gums and teeth, but these feelings will fade over the next few days. You should also expect to see some minor bleeding from your gums. Once everything heals, your gums will be healthy and free of plaque, and if the dentist caught your gum disease at an early stage, you may never have to return for further treatments.

If you have gum disease, this is the procedure you will probably need. If you have questions about this procedure or other treatment options for gum disease, talk to a local dentist or schedule an appointment to visit a dentist of your choice.