Scaling and root planing, or thorough teeth cleaning, is a dental procedure you have probably heard of if you have recently seen the dentist. Plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have accumulated on your teeth over time can be removed with the help of specialized instruments. It may seem like any other conventional dental operation, but this approach has distinct advantages that can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Learn the benefits of regular cleanings and why you should consider deep cleaning scaling and root planing.
What Is Root Planning And Scaling?
During a regular cleaning, a dental hygienist scrapes tartar and plaque from a patient’s teeth. The dentist will also use polish to eliminate stains and smooth teeth. The processes of scaling and root planning are very similar.
Patients with sensitive tissue may require anesthetic before scaling and root planing. Inflamed, bleeding gums can cause discomfort in the surrounding tissue. The next step is to clean underneath the gum line to remove any plaque or tartar that has built up there and on the teeth’s surface.
The dentist will then use a special instrument to smooth down any rough spots on the tooth roots caused by bacteria.
The Importance of Root Planing and Scaling
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Maintains healthy gums
Untreated gum disease, a common dental issue, can significantly damage your gums and teeth. Deep cleaning scaling and root planing remove the germs and plaque that cause gum disease. Maintaining healthy gums is important in avoiding tooth loss and other dental complications.
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Reduces inflammation
When the body detects an invader or suffers damage, it reacts with inflammation. Gum disease can develop when bacteria and plaque accumulate below the gum line, triggering inflammation. Gum disease can be treated with scaling and root planing because it removes bacteria and plaque that cause inflammation.
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Helps to avoid tooth loss
Teeth might become loose and even fall if gum disease isn’t untreated. By removing the plaque and bacteria that cause gum disease, a procedure called “root planing and scaling” can save a patient’s teeth from being lost. You can save your teeth and money on dental work if you care for your gums.
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Improves health
The condition of your mouth can tell a lot about how healthy you are overall. Diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke can all be caused by neglecting one’s oral health. You can lessen your chances of developing these and other health issues by maintaining a regular schedule of professional dental cleanings.
What Happens During the Procedure
The patient will be required to recline fully back in the dental chair. A local anesthetic could be used to numb the gums and teeth. Tartar (calculus) will be scraped off the teeth and below the gumline using a scaler. The bacteria will also be removed by cleaning (planing) the roots of the teeth. The time required for the process ranges from 30 minutes to an hour, with the latter being more typical. A local anesthetic might help relieve a patient’s discomfort throughout the treatment.
How Often Should You Have Your Roots Planed and Scaled?
Patients with gum disease should have a deep cleaning operation called scaling and root planing. The severity of gum disease dictates how often scaling and root planing must be performed. Deep cleaning scaling and root planing should be done every three to four months for people with mild to moderate gum disease. Patients with advanced gum disease should have monthly scaling and root planing procedures.
Tips for Aftercare
You may have discomfort for a day or two and tooth sensitivity for up to a week following a comprehensive cleaning. Your gums could swell, hurt, and bleed, too.
Your dentist may recommend taking an antibiotic or using a pain reliever or mouthwash to help you recuperate. Your dentist may insert subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline into the cleansed pocket to prevent infection further.
Your dentist will want to check your healing gums and take new pocket depth readings at your next appointment. If they have progressed in depth, additional care may be required.
Sum up
Plaque and bacteria can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas of your teeth, but scaling and root planing can help. This treatment protects your teeth from decay, gum disease, and bad breath and keeps your smile bright and beautiful for years to come. If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned issues, seeing a dentist skilled in deep cleaning scaling and root planing is in your best interest.