Root Planing and Scaling: Why Deep Cleaning Is Crucial
The team at South Ogden Smiles is committed to advanced dental care that emphasizes total wellness. This means both cosmetic treatments to enhance smile aesthetics as well as restorative dentistry procedures to improve dental health.
One treatment that's crucial for promoting total wellness is root planing and scaling. There are numerous misconceptions about root planing and scaling, so this should help set the record straight.
What is root planing and scaling?
Root planing and scaling refers to a procedure in which plaque and tartar (hardened plaque also referred to as dental calculus) is removed from the teeth. This particularly targets hard-to-reach plaque and tartar down along the gumline. By doing this, dentists are able to prevent major tooth decay and gum disease, enhancing a patient's overall dental health and wellness.
How does root planing and scaling differ from a traditional dental cleaning?
While root planing and scaling is also known as deep cleaning, it differs from a traditional dental cleaning in many important ways.
For one, a traditional dental cleaning uses just floss and an electric brush to polish the teeth. Root planing and scaling, by contrast, uses scraping tools in order to remove the tartar and plaque. Local anesthetic is used during root planing and scaling to ensure patient comfort.
Root scaling involves the removal of plaque and tartar, while root planing will involve the smoothing down of any damaged tooth structure.
What to Expect During the Root Planing and Scaling Process
Patients will have just one-quarter to one-half of their mouth treated during a root planing and scaling session. This is to ensure that treatment sessions do not go too long and to avoid anesthetizing a patient’s entire mouth. During the session, the dentist and the dental hygienist will work together to carefully scrape away and clean the teeth and address any issues around the gumline as needed.
What to Expect After the Root Planing and Scaling Process
After root planing and scaling is completed, patients can expect their mouth to feel a bit numb and their gums to feel tender. It's ideal for patients to avoid eating foods and drinking beverages that are hot or cold in temperature; spicy foods should be avoided as well to prevent irritating the gums.
Brushing and flossing should be done the same night as the root planing and scaling treatment, though patients should be extra-gentle about this in order to prevent harming the gumline.
Is root planing and scaling ideal for me?
Your dentist can determine if root planing and scaling is right for you during your routine checkups. If there is a major concern about plaque and tartar, patients can expect a root planing and scaling session to be performed. Additional sessions can be scheduled as needed.
Schedule a Visit for Root Planing and Scaling at South Ogden Smiles
For more information about root planing and scaling and how it can help you have the healthiest smile possible, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. The entire team here at South Ogden Smiles looks forward to your visit and helping you have the best smile possible.
