Scaling and root planing for gum disease is an often performed dental procedure that involves cleaning deep down toward the tooth root and below the gum line to remove built-up plaque and tartar. It is a more extensive form of routine dental cleaning and often necessary when treating advanced cases of gum disease.
Minor instances of gum disease can often be treated through improvements in your at-home oral health routine and through routine dental cleanings. However, scaling and root planing is often a better solution. The following is a review of how dentists use scaling and root planing to clean the gums and treat gum disease in the long term.
Gum disease, also called periodontitis, refers to an oral infection that damages the gums and the underlying jawbone. Symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, gum swelling, gums that move away from teeth (gum recession), pockets between the teeth and gums, and bone loss. It is most often caused by poor oral hygiene and relatively easy to prevent with consistent oral care and regular dental visits.
Gingivitis is considered by many to be a mild form of gum disease, although some dentists separate the term from periodontitis. Gingivitis is milder and typically able to be treated through less extensive measures than scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is a way to treat severe cases of gum disease, particularly those that are not able to be properly addressed through routine cleanings or improvements in oral care. The procedure involves cleaning the crown of the tooth, removing plaque and tartar buildup along the gum line, and going deeper toward the tooth root and underneath the gum line to remove bacteria and plaque.
As mentioned, scaling and root planing is necessary for severe cases of gum disease. Some symptoms of severe gum disease that may indicate that scaling and root planing is needed include severe bleeding when pressure is placed upon the gums, abnormal swelling of the gums, bone loss in the jaw, gum recession and loose teeth. If these symptoms exist, then it is important to contact a dentist as soon as possible.
The patient can return home after scaling and root planing. Some discomfort may exist, although it typically goes away within 24 hours and can be managed through over-the-counter pain relief medication. The dentist should also provide dietary limitations during the recovery, which may include reducing the consumption of sugar and avoiding foods that are hard to chew or sticky.
You can reach our dental team by phone or email to learn more about gum disease treatment options, and we can explain the process of scaling and root planing to you in greater detail during a consultation visit. Our dental team is friendly and happy to address any concerns you may have about gum disease and its treatment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mycaredentals.com or call My Care Dental at (512) 590-6634 for an appointment in our Austin office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Austin, TX.
Like tooth decay, gum disease is preventable. You can avoid serious oral health problems by improving a few habits and being more diligent about your dental care. Gum disease can affect people of all ages. It can also contribute to infections, tooth loss, and other concerns. Your dentist can help you avoid this condition and…
Gum disease is often hard to avoid; however, once it is detected, patients can immediately visit their general dentist for a diagnosis and treatment plan. In order for it to be detected, the dentist will have to rely on any symptoms or signs that indicate a problem. Ready to learn more about the signs?Sometimes when…
Learning about how gum disease is treated is a great idea, as many people experience some level of dental anxiety because they do not know what to expect. Since general dentists treat all types of gum disease, patients can make a list of questions about this dental disease to ask their dentist next time they…
There are a lot of different treatments for gum disease, all of which are determined based on the severity of the infection. Some procedures can be done by a general dentist and hygienist, while others may require a periodontist and oral surgeon.Gum disease should never go untreated! In this article, we discuss the different treatments…
One of the procedures that can be used to effectively get your smile back to…
A dental implant is much like a natural tooth that completes the entire dental structure.
Preventive dentistry professionals recommend replacing a toothbrush every three to four months.
Teeth that are causing crippling pain may be needing root canal therapy.
When you need dental bridges, your dentist will work with an oral surgeon to find…
Dental crowns play an essential role in restorative dentistry and are used primarily for correcting…
