Are you concerned about your oral health? Do you know that poor oral hygiene can lead to a number of serious health problems? Do you want to have healthier and stronger teeth? Having a beautiful smile requires more than just good genes. Good dental hygiene habits are essential to having healthy teeth and gums. However, even with the best at-home care, you may still need professional dental cleanings to prevent gum disease. One common type of professional cleaning is called scaling and root planing. What Is Scaling And Root Planing? Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums that removes tartar (hardened plaque) both above and below the gum line. This type of cleaning is usually done if you have gum disease or other dental issues related to the gums. These two procedures performed by a dentist are known as scaling and root planing. Scaling refers to the cleaning and removal of plaque and tartar buildup from the areas around the teeth and on the surface of the tooth itself. Root planing is the process of smoothing the rough surface of the roots of your teeth. This helps to remove the food debris from the roots. Why Does A Dentist Perform Scaling And Root Planing? A dentist will usually perform this procedure when patients have gum disease. Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth which is caused by gingivitis, the starting phase of gum disease. There are two types of gum disease. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. A person with gingivitis may experience tenderness and soreness in their gums. It usually begins with a small area of redness around the gum line. Periodontitis is the most serious type of gum disease. Periodontitis can cause damage to your teeth and bones, making it difficult to clean your teeth and even to chew. If you do not have it treated quickly, it can lead to tooth loss. If you have periodontitis, your dentist or hygienist will likely recommend scaling and root planing as part of your treatment plan.

What Causes Gum Disease? Gum disease is one of the major problems faced by people all around the world. It is a progressive disease that, if not treated on time, can lead to tooth loss and other serious health problems. However, the most common cause of gum disease is gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) which causes inflammation, it is relatively mild, and the gums appear red. While gingivitis can often be reversed with good at-home care. The cause of gingivitis is usually a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a thin, sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that accumulates on your teeth and along your gum line. Once the plaque has formed, bacteria in your mouth start multiplying. Even though you may have developed some plaque, it can still be removed by brushing and flossing at least twice daily. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar is a hard substance that develops on the tooth surface when the bacteria of hardened plaque are combined with minerals and saliva. Tartar acts to prevent proper gum development. In time, tartar can build up in spots on the sides of the teeth and eventually lead to periodontal disease. Periodontitis is the most serious type of gum disease. Periodontitis causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called pockets) that are infected. The bones and tissues that support the teeth can be destroyed. Periodontitis is not reversible, but it can be controlled with good oral hygiene and professional dental care. Other factors that can cause gum disease include poor dental hygiene, smoking, changes in hormones (such as pregnancy or menopause), poor nutrition, and other medical conditions, such as Autoimmune diseases, Crohn's disease, or HIV/AIDs. The Symptoms Of Gum Disease Are: -Bleeding from the gums when brushing and eating -Bad breath -Swollen, painful, tender, and red gums -Pus pockets -Tooth decay and tooth loss -Discolored teeth -Bad taste -Receding gums (your gums seem to be pulling away from your teeth) -Bone destruction If you have any symptoms of gum disease, it’s important to see a dentist right away so that they can treat it before it gets worse. Diagnosis Of Gum Disease Gum disease is diagnosed by a dentist or periodontist through a combination of a visual examination of the gums and teeth, as well as by measuring the depth of the pockets around the teeth. In some cases, X-rays may also be taken. During the visual examination, the dentist looks for signs of inflammation, such as redness, swelling, or bleeding gums. They may also use a special instrument known as a probe to measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth. Pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 mm. If the pocket gets deeper than 3 mm, it is usually caused by periodontitis. X-rays may also be taken to detect any bone loss that has occurred as a result of gum disease. Once gum disease has been diagnosed, it is important to begin treatment right away to prevent it from getting worse. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the disease but may include deep cleanings, antibiotics, and surgery.

How Is Gum Disease Treated? When a patient presents with gum disease, they are usually given a prescription for antibiotics. These are used to fight infections and bacteria that may be present in the mouth. Once the infection has been treated, the dentist will usually provide the patient with an appointment to have scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is a type of deep cleaning for your teeth. During the procedure, your dentist or hygienist will numb your mouth before using special instruments for scraping away any tartar and plaque buildup from your teeth and below the gum line. Then, the dentist will gently brush the teeth, removing any loose debris that they missed. Root planing smoothes out any rough spots on the roots of your teeth where bacteria can easily build, making it more difficult for plaque and tartar to attach again. Scaling and root planing is generally a very effective way to treat gum disease. Not only does this procedure remove harmful tartar from your teeth and gums, but it also helps to smooth out any rough spots where bacteria could easily hide and cause further problems. What Can I Expect After Scaling And Root Planing? Once you have had your teeth scaled and root planned, your dentist will probably recommend a schedule of cleanings to make sure the root surfaces are free of any buildup. You should resume normal oral care procedures after your teeth scaling and root planing. This means brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. You may experience discomfort. This discomfort will be short-lived. You may also experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and liquids, or you may have trouble chewing. You may have to make some changes in your diet, though. Because of the increased sensitivity, you may want to avoid spicy and acidic foods. To make sure you're on the road to good dental health, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet and schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Most dentists recommend that you eat soft food and avoid hard, sticky foods for some time. Your dentist will give you instructions for proper oral hygiene. How Long Does It Take For Scaling And Root Planing? The entire treatment takes about an hour or two. In just one or two hours, you can get rid of your gum infection, without causing any major discomfort. If you have a severe infection that can’t be controlled with antibiotics, your doctor might want to schedule more than one visit. Is Scaling And Root Planing Painful? It's not painful. You’ll experience some discomfort after the process is completed. Deep cleanings go farther below the gums than regular cleanings and can potentially cause some discomfort or pain. It’s important that you’re comfortable during your dental cleaning. To help with this, your dentist will numb your gum before cleaning your teeth to minimize any discomfort.