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Have you recently had the scaling and root planing procedures recommended to improve your dental health? If so, there is no reason to be concerned. These are common procedures used during the treatment for periodontal disease in Medford. The deep cleaning is more complex that the one that is performed at your routine dental appointment because it cleans below the gum line. By doing so, it removes plaque and tartar accumulations that are responsible for causing an infection in the gum tissue. At Island Daily Dental Care, we offer the procedures as part of our treatment and maintenance services for periodontal disease.
Why Do I Need Scaling and Root Planing?
It is estimated that 50% of Americans have a form of gum disease, which develops due to the bacteria that is found in plaque and tartar accumulations. The buildup occurs when you do not brush and floss your teeth correctly at home or visit your dentist twice a year for preventive care.
While the early stages of the infection do not seem like a large concern, if it is left untreated, it will cause serious, irreversible damage to your dental health, such as tooth loss. In addition, it can negatively impact your overall health, leading to serious complications like cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and Alzheimer’s disease.
To restore your oral health and to prevent the infection from worsening, you need scaling and root planing in Medford. The deep cleaning uses special dental tools to clean above and below the gum line. During the first phase of the treatment, the scaling process involves removing hardened tartar and plaque.
After the pockets are cleaned out, the root planing process begins. This involves smoothing the roots of the teeth. This is essential because it helps the gum tissue reattach to the teeth to limit the development of plaque and tartar buildup in the future.
Generally, the entire process is completed in a single appointment. To minimize discomfort, a local anesthetic may be used. Your gums may remain tender for a few days following the procedure. It is not unusual to have slight bleeding, swelling, and tooth sensitivity, which will subside in about a week.
Will the Procedure Need to Be Repeated?
A couple of weeks after the treatment, you will be scheduled for a second appointment to see if your gums are healing and to measure the depths of the pockets. If there is an improvement, you will not need to have it repeated. However, if the pockets have gotten deeper, you will require additional treatment.
With the right aftercare, the procedure is highly successful for reversing the damages caused during the early stages of the infection. To ensure it does not develop again, it is important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. You will also need to visit our office twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup. We may also recommend a special mouthrinse to help keep your gums healthy.
If you are ready to restore your gum health, contact our office today to schedule a consultation for your scaling and root planing procedure.