You may not know it but your mouth is home to more than 700 types of bacteria. Unfortunately, some of these bacteria can cause damage to the gum and bone that support your teeth. This type of disease is called periodontal disease, or simply “gum disease”. Periodontal scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, is a specialized type of dental cleaning that is used to treat gum disease. Scaling is a procedure that removes plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and below the gum line. The procedure of root planing follows, which is a technique for smoothing the tooth roots in order to prevent bacteria from growing there in the future.
Did You Know?
Gum disease is extremely common and affects about half the population in North America – if you’re reading this, chances are good you have it too!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need periodontal treatment?
You may need periodontal treatment if you have any of the following gum disease symptoms:
- Gum tenderness or bleeding while brushing and/or flossing
- Gums that are pulling away from your teeth
- Gums that look red or swollen
- Persistent bad breath that won’t go away with regular brushing and flossing
- Pus between and/or around your teeth
- Teeth that are loose
If you have any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Dickey of Dickey Dental today.
What can I expect when having periodontal treatment at Dickey Dental?
When having periodontal treatment at Dickey Dental, you can expect for Dr. Dickey to thoroughly clean your teeth using specialized dental scalers. He will clean the entire front and back surfaces of your teeth, as well as in between them. As part of periodontal treatment, Dr. Dickey will also remove plaque and tartar accumulations from below the gum line. Once your teeth are clean, the tooth roots will be smoothed to prevent future plaque accumulation. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, an antimicrobial solution may also be deposited into the gum pockets. In some cases, a local anesthetic may be necessary to ease any discomfort you may feel during scaling and root planing.
Will I need to follow any special guidelines after my appointment?
After receiving periodontal treatment from Dickey Dental, you will need to take proper steps to maintain healthy teeth and gums. At home, you’ll need to stick with regular brushing and flossing routines. You should also avoid certain foods and behaviors in order to prevent future recurrences of gum disease.
