When you begin to exhibit the signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease, such as red or bleeding gums, then you need treatment to prevent the later stages, which could cause tooth loss. To do so, we can offer a more involved cleaning known as a scaling and root planing. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about the deep cleaning process.
The Signs You Need Treatment
When do you need to seek periodontal treatment to manage gum disease? You may notice symptoms like sore, red gums, bleeding when you brush or floss, or recession that makes your teeth appear longer than usual. The disease will continue to grow in severity and could lead to adult tooth loss. But with a deep cleaning, we can bring the disease into a manageable state, one that can be managed with regular preventive care every few months, so your smile stays whole and beautiful. When you notice changes to your smile, let us know right away, better yet, be sure you attend your appointments every six months so we can monitor your smile and catch issues in the earliest stages of inflammation.
Scaling and Root Planing
The scaling and root planing involves using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently sand thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth, the exposed roots, and from beneath the gum line too. For some, this could take one visit while others may need up to four appointments. It all depends on the extent of your buildup. Since this is more involved than a traditional cleaning, we will numb your smile to keep you comfortable. The last step is to polish the teeth, which helps limit how much plaque and tartar can adhere to the surfaces of your teeth before your next appointment.
Traditional Cleanings
Following your scaling and root planing treatment, our team will conduct traditional dental visits every three to four months to manage the issue and keep your smile whole and healthy. These remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth, and we will polish your smile afterward. We may also suggest quitting tobacco products, cutting back on the sugar and starch in your diet, and seeing our team for a checkup and cleaning visit every few months too. These actions help you enjoy optimal oral health, and also fight issues like tooth decay in the process.
If you have any questions about scaling and root planings, then contact our team today.
Do You Need to Schedule Your Dental Appointment?
We want to help you enjoy good oral health and avoid the complications of advanced periodontal disease. Call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling (913)681-5500 to learn more about how to recognize and treat issues like gingivitis and gum disease.
