The Basics and Details of Scaling and Root Planing

Gum disease is a very serious and dangerous dental issue that can destroy your smile, alter your oral health, and result in loose and lost teeth if it’s left untreated. This is why it’s very important to visit your dentist, Dr. Robert Haas, if you experience any of the symptoms of this disease, which are red, swollen, bleeding, or receding gums and constant bad breath. One treatment that is available in the world today is scaling and root planing.

To help you know more about scaling and root planing in Lebanon, Ohio, our Family Dentistry, Inc. dental team is happy to provide the following information:

The reasons for treatment

Scaling and root planing is a successful treatment that involves deeply cleaning the pockets of your smile. When you are a victim of gum disease, the plaque on your teeth irritates your gums and makes them shrivel and move away from the teeth, exposing the roots. This creates pockets between your teeth and gums and if they are not cleaned on a regular basis, bacteria and harmful particles will gather there, destroying your teeth, gums, and underlying bone. As time passes, the bone will begin to deteriorate and your teeth can eventually fall out of your mouth.

The process of scaling and root planing

The process of scaling and root planing involves two parts: the scaling and the root planing. First, your dentist will scale your teeth and gums. This will deeply clean above and below the gumline, eliminating the plaque, bacteria, and other substances that can destroy your smile. Second, your dentist will start the root planing. During this section, they will smooth out the surfaces of your roots so your gums will reattach. Before you begin these treatments, your dentist will likely offer an anesthetic to help you get through the visit.

Aftercare tips

Recovery is very important when it comes to the scaling and root planing treatment. After the appointment, your gums might bleed or swell a bit, which is completely normal. Your dentist will medicate the pockets of your mouth to help relieve pain and discomfort. Your dentist might also prescribe an oral medication or mouth rinse to you if it’s necessary.

Dr. Robert Haas and our dental team care for you and your smile and we are here to do everything we can to keep gum disease away from your teeth and gums. So, if you notice constant bad breath and receding gums, please call our office as soon as possible and schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Haas. You can call our office by dialing 513-932-6991 now.