A Brief Look at Scaling and Root Planing

Under healthy conditions, routine dental cleanings are typically enough to remove harmful oral bacteria from your teeth and along your gum line. Doing so helps you significantly lower your risks of developing oral health conditions like gum disease. However, for some patients in Encinitas/San Diego, oral bacteria may have worked their way underneath the gums and away from the reach of routine dental cleaning equipment. In such cases, the most effective way to remove the bacteria and lower your risks of developing gum disease because of it is to undergo scaling and root planing.

Deep cleaning vs. regular dental cleaning

Scaling and root planing is often referred to as deep cleaning because it involves removing the bacteria from underneath your gums rather than the surfaces of your teeth. During the procedure, your periodontist carefully accesses your teeth roots underneath your gums, where bacteria have accumulated and formed plaque and tartar. By removing the bacteria, your periodontist can allow your gums to heal and stop the progression of gum disease.

The importance of early treatment

If performed early enough, scaling and root planing can help some patients reverse gingivitis and fully restore their periodontal health. Even if it’s too late to reverse the condition, treating it as early as possible will help you minimize the damage to your gums, jawbone, and overall oral health. This is especially important given the fact that advanced gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, and treating it early is the most effective way to prevent it if the disease develops.

Follow-up periodontal maintenance

Depending on the severity of your gum disease, your scaling and root planing procedure may be the first step in your specialized periodontal maintenance. After deep cleaning, your periodontist might also suggest holistic periodontal treatments such as ozone and/or platelet therapy, or laser treatment for the removal of diseased tissues.

Find out if you need scaling and root planing

If you experience early signs of gingivitis, then your periodontist may recommend scaling and root planing as soon as possible to stop it from progressing. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.