Root Planing: A Deep Cleaning for Healthier Gums and Teeth
Many people struggle with gum disease, especially as they get older. More than 42 percent of adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease, and nearly 8 percent have severe periodontal disease. Gum disease can progress without treatment, potentially leading to swollen gums, frequent bleeding while brushing, inflammation, tooth shifting, chronic bad breath, and tooth loss.
If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, your Clermont dentist may have recommended root planing. Learn how root planing can promote healthier teeth and gums.
What Exactly Is Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning method in which dental plaque and calculus below the gumline are removed. This standard gum disease treatment uses a non-surgical approach to reach the large pockets filled with harmful bacteria that can form under the gumline. Root planing is performed with ultrasonic handheld instruments, which can produce significant clinical results in a fraction of the manual cleaning time.
What Happens During Root Planing Therapy?
If you have severe gum disease, a condition known as periodontitis, your dentist in Clermont may recommend scaling and root planing therapy to remove tartar buildup. This condition is often diagnosed during a dental check-up. Dental X-rays may be performed to look for other problems, such as tooth decay, an abscessed tooth, or bone loss.
The procedure generally begins with a local anesthetic to numb your mouth and minimize pain. Next, a scaler equipped with a vibrating metal tip is used to chip tartar off the teeth and above the gum line. Any small remaining pieces of tartar are removed manually using a dental scaler known as a curette. A water spray on the scaler helps wash away plaque and tartar from the gum pockets.
Root planing is similar to tooth scaling, except it occurs on the teeth’ roots below the gumline. During this procedure, a hand tool carefully pushes the gum tissue aside to expose the underlying root surfaces. A tooth scaling tool is then used to chip away tartar from the roots to smooth them.
Occasionally, an antibiotic medicine will be injected directly into the gum pockets to help eliminate any lingering infections.
After the procedure, your gums may be temporarily tender and swollen. Remember to follow all aftercare instructions provided by your dentist to help minimize side effects. You may be instructed to eat soft foods, avoid hot or cold foods and drinks, take antibiotics or pain relievers, and use an antimicrobial mouthwash. If you experience bad breath, loose teeth, difficulty chewing food, receding gums, toothache, bleeding, swollen, or red gums, it may be a sign that your gum disease has returned, and you should contact your dentist in Clermont, FL.
What are the Benefits of Root Planing?
Root planing can offer countless advantages, starting with preventing gum disease progression. Mild gum disease can worsen without treatment, potentially leading to severe consequences like tooth loss. Root planing can also reduce gum inflammation and bleeding by removing the irritants that cause gums to bleed and inflamed.
Patients who undergo root planing can also enjoy other benefits, such as eliminating chronic bad breath. When the bacteria trapped in plaque and tartar are removed, lousy breath often follows. Getting root planning before gum disease progresses can also improve overall health. As gum disease has been linked to many other health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, getting treatment for healthy teeth and gums is essential.
Achieve a Healthier Smile with Hancock Village Dental
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with severe gum disease, you may be wondering about your treatment options. Scaling and root planing are commonly recommended for patients with periodontitis or other serious dental issues. At Hancock Village Dental, we help patients recover from gum disease and maintain their smiles. Contact us today at 352.989.5815 to learn more about our dental services or to schedule an appointment.
