Your dentist in Guildford is here not only to ensure that any oral health issues are taken care of as quickly and safely as possible. We can also act as your personal dental hygienist, ensuring that the care is taken to clean your teeth as effectively as you can. One of the ways we can do this is with regular deep cleaning and root planing.
Roughly twice a year, we recommend scheduling a service that involves scaling teeth and the gum line, getting rid of plaque and tartar, as well as polishing to remove any stains and keep the teeth smooth. However, if you show signs of gum disease, we recommend scaling and root planing. Here is what you need to know about this service.
Do You Need Scaling And Root Planing?
Routine cleaning appointments can help prevent gum disease. However, if we see any of the symptoms of gum disease such as bleeding or receding gums, we will recommend a different kind of clean. Scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, is the most widely used and recommended treatment for periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease.
Gum disease becomes a serious and chronic issue when bacterial plaque and tartar around and beneath the gums cause the tissue to recede far enough that deep pockets are created between the teeth and the gums. When left untreated, these deep pockets can lead to an increased risk of tooth loss, infection, and other issues.
If we spot the signs of chronic periodontitis, such as large pocket gum deaths, excessive tartar, and bad breath, then we may recommend that you undergo scaling and root planing in order to start treating it as soon as possible.
What The Procedure Involves
Deep cleaning and root scaling treatments involve two separate steps. First, we scale the teeth, meaning that we take the time to remove all of the plaque and tartar (which is when plaque hardens). We go above and beneath the gum line, ensuring the pockets between tooth are cleaned.
The root planing part of the treatment involves smoothing out teeth roots, which can then allow your gums to healthily and safely reattach to the teeth. In some cases, the treatment may have to be carried out across multiple appointments.
Following Up
After the appointment, we will recommend steps you can take to ensure the ongoing health of your teeth and gums, which may include specific oral hygiene products. We will check in a follow-up appointment to make sure your gums are healing well and have become firm and pink again. If the symptoms of gum disease are gone, we won’t need to do any treatments beyond the routine. Otherwise, we may have to recommend other treatments, such as surgical intervention.
What’s more important is that you get in touch with your dentist in Guildford if you’re concerned that you are experiencing the symptoms of gum disease. The sooner we find the right treatment for you, the easier it will be to make a full recovery.
