At Pro Smile Dental Care in Danville, CA, we offer scaling and root planing a form of deep cleaning. Deep dental cleanings help to prevent and treat gum disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for a healthy smile, but professional intervention might still be necessary to prevent gum loss despite your best efforts.
What Is Scaling & Root Planing?
Tooth scaling and root planing is a non-surgical dental procedure a hygienist or periodontist performs. Scaling refers to removing plaque, tartar (hardened plaque), and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and below the gum line. Root planing smooths the tooth roots to remove any remaining bacteria and facilitate gum reattachment.
Why Would I Need This Procedure?
- Gum Disease
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Hormone Changes
- Poor Fillings & Dental Restoration Issues
Gum Disease Treatment
When gum disease progresses beyond gingivitis into periodontitis, scaling and root planing become essential to remove bacterial deposits and promote gum healing. Without prompt treatment, your adult teeth can become loose and even fall out, so it’s essential to stop the damage before it’s too late.
Oral Health With Diabetes
Individuals with diabetes are more prone to gum disease due to reduced resistance to infection. Scaling and root planing can help manage oral health and prevent further complications.
Reduce Risks Of Heart Disease
Some recent studies suggest a connection between gum disease and heart disease. Scaling and root planing can reduce the bacterial burden in the mouth, potentially minimizing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Hormone Changes Can Affect Your Teeth
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause can make your gums more sensitive, leading to gum disease. Scaling and root planing can help prevent or treat these issues if your dentist recommends it.
Cleaning Around Poor Fillings Or Restorations
If dental restorations like fillings or crowns are not properly fitted, they can affect how a tooth sits in your gum line and exacerbate tartar accumulation. If this happens, scaling and root planing may be necessary to prevent future tooth loss.
What To Expect At The Dentist’s Office
Before the procedure, the dental team will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums—most likely by taking X-rays. Depending on how sensitive your gums are, they can numb them accordingly.
Next, they’ll use specialized instruments to carefully remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the base of your teeth and below the gum line. Lastly, they will smooth out your roots to discourage bacterial buildup and promote gum reattachment.
Important Dental Cleaning Aftercare
- Maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine, including regular brushing and flossing.
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash recommended by your dentist after the procedure.
- Attend follow-up visits to monitor your oral health and receive any necessary further treatment.
- Adopt a healthy diet, low in sugary and acidic foods, to prevent future plaque formation.
Preventing The Need For Deep Cleanings
While it isn’t always possible to completely prevent the need for scaling and root planing, there are some precautions you can take that lower the likelihood:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
- Floss every single day to remove plaque and food particles from the gum line.
- Maintain regular dental check-ups and cleanings every six months.
- Limit your consumption of sugary or acidic food and drinks.
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
Schedule Scaling & Root Planing In Danville
Tooth scaling and root planing are invaluable gingivitis and periodontitis treatments. Contact Pro Smile Dental Care today to book an appointment for deep cleaning near the East Bay and Danville areas.
