So, you’re planning to get regular dental cleaning services. But then you hear about scaling and root planing and wonder if that’s a better treatment for you.
Well, if you want to know more about root planing and scaling, you are in the right place as your trusted dentist in Danvers, MA, shares what you need to know about this dental service:
The Importance of Gum Health
When you neglect your gums, you’re likely to suffer from gum disease, which can lead to further problems. This is why dental scaling and root planing are important for you.
But what exactly is gum disease? It’s basically inflammation and infection of the tissues in the area covering your teeth and gums. In this case, your gums become swollen, red, and irritated.
Worse, the tissue surrounding your teeth thins out, and gum pockets form. And with the development of these pockets, food particles and bacteria can become stuck under your gums, leading to more gum inflammation.
When the gum tissue is inflamed, it’s easier for bacteria to infect your teeth. And if the infection worsens, youʼll develop tooth decay and even lose your teeth.
To prevent this from happening, you need to have regular dental cleaning services. If you’ve been skipping your regular cleaning, scaling and root planing may be necessary.
When Is Scaling and Root Planing Needed?
When it comes to scaling and root planing, it depends on how long you’ve been neglecting proper oral hygiene.
Scaling and root planing can be required when:
Gum Disease Has Developed
If you have a history of gum disease, you will likely need to get scaling and root planing.
But this doesn’t mean you need to develop gum pockets to need scaling and root planing. In some cases, they can be applied even if you don’t have gum pockets.
You Have Tartar
As you might already know, tartar is a hardened form of plaque. And if left untreated, the tartar can cause cavities, jawbone erosion, and even gum disease.
If you have tartar, scaling and root planing may be needed to remove it.
You Have Cavities or Tooth Decay
If you have cavities or tooth decay, the structure of the affected teeth may have been compromised. With this, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing to remove the bacteria, tartar, and plaque.
What Can I Expect from Scaling & Root Planing?
When you need scaling and root planing, here’s how the procedure will go:
Your teeth will be examined to know the extent of the infection and if you have gum disease.
A local anesthesia will be used to numb your gums, teeth, and tongue, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
The doctor will remove the infected parts of your gums using a special instrument called scaler or ultrasonic tip.
To remove the tartar and ʻpocket formers’ from below your gums, a special curette will be used.
Your teeth and gums will be smoothed to remove any rough patches.
Once the procedure is done, your dentist will give you antibiotics to ensure that all the bacteria in your mouth are treated.
Finally, you can rinse your mouth to remove any traces of the sedation.
Conclusion
As you can see, scaling and root planing is an important dental procedure that you need to have done to help prevent the development of gum disease.
Also, scaling and root planing can be used to treat existing gum disease, tartar, cavities, and tooth decay.
The only way to know if you require scaling and root planing is to have yoru teeth checked by an experienced dentist in Danvers, MA, who can assess your oral health.
Danvers Aesthetic Family Dentistry offers an array of dental services for the whole family. Whether you need regular cleaning, scaling and planing, or any other dental service, we can provide you with reliable services. Contact your trusted dentist in Danvers, MA, today to schedule your next checkup and cleaning.