When we clean our teeth, we usually concentrate on what we can see, like the tops and bottoms and sides. But plaque and tartar have ways of getting themselves into places we do not normally clean, such as under the gum line where your teeth roots are located. If this happens, your Leawood, KS, dentist can perform a scaling and root planing treatment, which will help remove excessive oral bacteria from this area. 

Why A Deep Cleaning Is Beneficial To You

One of the more common issues facing American adults is gum disease. In fact, almost half of adults over the age of 30 have a version of it, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is something that sometimes they are not even aware of because it is often painless. And you cannot rely on cavities to cause you to think you have it, because it is at the roots of your teeth. The early form of the disease is called gingivitis, and if it is detected early, we can treat it with a deep cleaning, a preventive procedure that will remove plaque and tartar buildup where oral bacteria live. 

Can You Tell Me What To Expect During The Treatment?

When you visit us at our Leawood, KS, office, we will carefully examine your gum tissue for signs of gingivitis. Things we look for include swollen or red gums and gum recession from your teeth roots. If we determine that you need a deep cleaning, we will recommend scaling and root planing, which may take several visits to complete. We can provide a local anesthetic to make the procedure comfortable for you. During the scaling part, we clean the teeth and their roots all the way down to their pockets below the gum line. Planing is the part when we smooth out the surfaces of the roots so that it is harder for bacteria to attach to them. During the healing process, your gum tissue will reattach to your teeth without plaque and tartar in its way.  

Why Should I Take Care Of This Early?

Detecting gingivitis early may help prevent tooth extraction, which comes with its own set of issues and treatments. If you experience any signs of red, swollen, or bleeding gums, a change in your bite, consistent bad breath, or loose teeth, please make an appointment with us so that we can thoroughly check for gum disease and provide treatment for it.

Contact Us To Find Out More About Scaling and Root Planing

Are you concerned about gum disease? We can answer your questions and provide treatment. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.