Healthy oral habits can prevent issues that may lead to infections such as gum disease. This problem, also known as gingivitis, can be common in both children and adults; however, if it is left untreated, it may worsen and cause serious discomfort or cause secondary infections within the body. Oral treatments such as scaling and planing can battle gingivitis, help maintain good oral health and prevent future infection. Patients who plan to undergo these processes may feel greater peace of mind understanding what is involved before arriving for an appointment.
Different types of foods and beverages can cause a bacterial film to build around the gumline where the teeth and gums meet. This is a sticky substance called plaque. If proper, regular brushing and flossing are neglected, the plaque can harden and turn into tartar, which can irritate the gums if it is not removed. This inflammation then causes gingivitis. Those who suffer from this issue may experience several different symptoms:
Teeth scaling and root planing can remove stubborn tartar and prevent further infection to improve a patient’s overall oral health.
Individuals with chronic or moderate gingivitis may have a dentist recommend teeth scaling as a tool for cleaning away hardened tartar at the gumline. This process is usually more involved than a simple cleaning and may take longer. Patients may be informed of additional details at the initial consultation.
During the process, a dentist may apply a local numbing agent to the area to reduce discomfort and then use several different scraping tools to remove stubborn tartar. Special attention may be paid to pockets between the teeth and gums, which can form once gingivitis advances to periodontal disease. When food particles become trapped in these pockets, it can contribute to tartar buildup. Pressurized water and ultrasonic tools may also be employed to remove areas of hardened tartar. Root planing may be performed during the same appointment.
When gum disease is present, this can cause a tooth’s root to detach from the gums and create gaps that collect bacteria and food particles. These spaces can be difficult to reach with regular brushing or flossing and may eventually result in tooth loss. A dentist can attempt to reverse this process with root planing. During this procedure, plaque and tartar are removed with scraping and smoothing tools, which can prevent further infection. The affected roots are then smoothed out so bacteria can no longer collect, which allows the area to heal.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Gum Disease in Bellevue, WA.
Because scaling and root planing both involve deep-cleaning processes, patients may experience tenderness or soreness at the treated area. Dentists typically recommend continued regular brushing and flossing to keep the area clean. Post-treatment checkups may be scheduled a few weeks after scaling and planing to ensure periodontal pockets are healing as expected.
Gingivitis can advance into serious gum disease when it goes untreated. Teeth scaling and root smoothing can reverse inflammation, bleeding and the eventual tooth loss that often occurs at the final stages of the disease.
Request an appointment or call Artisan Dental at 425-454-2005 for an appointment in our Bellevue office.
Receding gums are more likely to affect people over 30, but aging does not necessarily cause it. Gum recession is often a symptom of gum disease, an infection of gum tissues caused by the bacteria inside plaque and tartar. These microorganisms build these substances, which house them, and the acids that they make.People over the…
One essential step a person can take to prevent receding gums is to maintain excellent dental hygiene. Most individuals often neglect their gums and focus on dazzling, pearly white teeth when it comes to oral health. However, having healthy gums is just as important as having healthy teeth.Gum recession has the potential to cause tooth…
Receding gums can be a sign that you have gum disease. It can also be a sign of poor brushing habits or using a toothbrush that is too hard. receding gums leave teeth roots exposed to acids made by oral bacteria, increasing their risk of decay.Teeth roots do not have an outer layer of enamel…
