Have Gum Disease? What To Know About Planing And Scaling

Gum disease is something that you need to take seriously, since it can have a lasting effect on your oral health that can lead to serious damage. Thankfully, your dentist has a way to treat gum disease through a process called planing and scaling. It is essentially a deep cleaning of your teeth that will help treat gum disease and prevent it from getting worse. Here is some more information on this oral health treatment:

The Disease

Gum disease forms by having plaque and bacteria collect on the teeth that is not removed through brushing and flossing. Plaque collects on the teeth, and if it isn't removed right away the plaque will eventually lead to a collection of bacteria. Plaque will then start to harden, which will cause your gums to become irritated. You'll notice some general tenderness in the area at first, which will then lead to bleeding.

If you continue to ignore your problem with gum disease, know that it only gets worse from here. You'll notice that your gums will start to become loose and allow bacteria to collect in the pockets around the bottom of your teeth. Bacteria is capable of getting as far down as the jawbone, which is very difficult to remove. That's why treating a gum disease problem early on is so important in the process of making your teeth and gums healthy.

The Treatment

Scaling is essentially a thorough cleaning of your teeth. Plaque is scraped off using a device that uses ultrasonic vibrations, which is incredibly effective in loosening plaque that has hardened and turned into tartar. Your dentist will go beneath your gum line to remove as much plaque and tartar as possible. It is common for some dental patients to require an anesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable. This allows the dentist to get deep within your gums and remove the bacteria that is causing problems.

Planing is the process of smoothing out the tooth's roots under the gum line. Having rough edges creates places where bacteria can easily stick to the surface. By removing rough edges, it makes it easier to keep your teeth clean and prevent your issue with gum disease from returning. You'll notice that the gums will have a chance to heal again and actually tighten over time, which reduces the pocket that allows bacteria to easily collect in your gums. You'll end up having teeth and gums that are much healthier than they were before the treatment.

Reach out to your family dentist for more information.

Share