Scaling & Root Planing – Goode, VA
Get a Clean Smile to Stop Gum Disease
Did you know tooth decay isn’t the only threat to your smile? Gum disease is equally devastating. In fact, it’s the leading cause of tooth loss despite being preventable. Your oral and general health don’t need to fall victim to the infection. Your family dentist can restore a healthy smile with scaling and root planing. We’ll help you combat the infection to ensure your teeth and gums thrive for a lifetime.
What are Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing are better known as a deep cleaning. It involves two separate treatments to remove harmful buildup near the gum line. This eliminates the infection from the gum tissue and prevents future tartar accumulations to keep your smile healthy.
Why Do I Need Treatment?
The symptoms of gum disease may not seem concerning at first, but eventually the redness and bleeding gums can lead to missing teeth. Not to mention, it can also affect your general health as the bacteria responsible for the infection enters your bloodstream. Scaling and root planing are the first step to stopping the damage caused by gum disease. We may recommend them to treat:
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Chronic bad breath
- Receding gum line
- Pain when chewing
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Plaque or tartar buildup
We’ll perform a thorough consultation to assess your gum health to create a plan for periodontal care to rehabilitate your smile.
What is the Process of Scaling and Root Planing?
After your initial consultation, you’ll be scheduled for your procedure. Scaling is performed first, which uses a special dental instrument to remove any areas of tartar above and below the gum line. After cleaning the gingival pockets, root planing is performed. The roots of your teeth are smoothed to allow your gum tissue to reattach. This helps seal out future buildup to keep your smile healthy.
Are Scaling and Root Planing Uncomfortable?
You won’t need to worry about any pain during your procedure because we will numb the area with a local anesthetic. You won’t feel any discomfort, but we may still recommend having your mouth cleaned in quadrants to ensure your gums are numb.
It’s normal for your gums to be a bit tender for a few days while the tissue heals; however, it will subside quickly. It’s best to avoid eating anything spicy or acidic. We also recommend avoiding any foods with sharp edges to avoid causing any injury or irritation to the healing tissue. If you experience any tooth sensitivity, you may want to avoid overly hot or cold foods or beverages.
Invest in a Healthy Smile
A proactive approach to your gum health is essential after your scaling and root planing treatment. You’ll need to commit to your oral hygiene at home and visit your dentist more often for a cleaning and checkup.
If you have signs of gum disease, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact our office today for periodontal therapy. We can save your smile and stop the infection with a deep cleaning.