If you have early signs of gum disease, you should see a dentist without delay. It could be a sign of gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. With early intervention, you could reverse the signs. When you see a dentist in riverside, they may recommend going for scaling and root planing. In this post, we are discussing what the procedure is all about.
The basics
The purpose of scaling and root planing is to get rid of etiologic agents that cause inflammation of the gums. This is a nonsurgical process that involves getting rid of dental plaque and tartar. Your dentist may recommend scaling as a preventive step to keep gum disease at bay, and you may need the treatment to fix immediate signs of gum disease.
Why should you consider scaling?
Scaling allows the dentist to clean bacterial growth, which triggers periodontal infections. There are studies that link periodontal bacteria to heart and lung infections, as the bacteria can travel into the body from the mouth. With scaling and root planing, you can also protect your teeth as the gum pockets are cleaned during the treatment. If you already have these pockets, you may end up with an advanced stage of gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay. These treatments remove tartar, and therefore, you can expect your teeth to look cleaner as superficial stains are removed. You can also get rid of halitosis, which is bad breath caused by bacterial growth.
The actual procedure
After a complete examination of the mouth, your dentist will take x-rays and discuss whether you need to go for scaling. If you have tartar or deep pockets, your dentist may use a light local anesthetic agent to numb the gums before the treatment. Scaling involves using special dental instruments to remove calculus and plaque from areas like the root surface and crown of the teeth. Root Planing, on the other hand, is used for removing surface dentin and cementum. If required, your dentist may also use antibiotics to clean the pockets.
Final word
Gum disease is more serious than people think. If you have an evident buildup of tartar or have swollen or red gums, check with your dentist and discuss the treatment options. Both scaling and root planing procedures don’t hurt, and you can go back home the same day. You can expect to return for a routine checkup so the dentist can check how the gum pockets have healed.
