Scaling and Root Planing
When bacteria in the mouth develops into tartar, the damage to gums can have severe effects on your health. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, develops pockets between teeth and gums where bacteria can enter the blood stream, increasing an individual’s chances for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Getting treated for gum disease through a procedure known as scaling and root planing can prevent future problems.
Deep Cleaning Treatment
Scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, is a dental procedure used to treat periodontitis. The deep cleaning treatment removes tartar, plaque, and bacteria from teeth and gums while smoothing the surface of the tooth below the gum line to help prevent future bacteria from returning to the area. Receiving treatment for gum disease can directly lower your risk for tooth loss, infection and limit the effects on systemic diseases.
What is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and the area surrounding the gums. Using hand instruments and/or ultrasonic cleaners, your hygienist will remove existing plaque from the surface of the tooth. Root planing, the second portion of the treatment, removes bacteria and tartar from deep within the pockets developed between teeth.
After deep cleaning treatment, a dentist will usually administers an antibiotic to defend the open wound from bacteria trying to enter. Furthermore, patients are required to engage in good dental hygiene in order to prevent periodontal disease from reoccurring.
Dangers of Periodontal Disease
If gone untreated, periodontal disease can lead to severe health issues. When the infection spreads into the blood stream, patients can have complications with systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Waiting too long to receive treatment for periodontal disease can exponentially increase the severity of the disease and increase chances of further oral health issues.
Call our office
If you’re experiencing symptoms of periodontal disease and would like to schedule an appointment with our Lehman-Waggener dental office for a consultation, call our office today!
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