Gum disease and other oral issues are preventable with good dental hygiene. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, may affect both children and adults; however, if left untreated, it can worsen rapidly and cause considerable pain as well as secondary infections. Scaling and root planing are recommended for treating mild to moderate cases of gum disease and can help restore oral health and avoid infection in the future. Patients who are planning to undergo these procedures may feel more at ease knowing what to expect before their visit.
A bacterial film may form around the gum line, resulting from the debris of meals and drinks. This is plaque, a sticky material. Without regular and thorough brushing and flossing, plaque may solidify and develop into tartar, which can cause gum inflammation. Gingivitis is the result of this inflammation. Patients with gingivitis may notice symptoms like bleeding gums, sensitive gums, gingival color changes, and gum recession.
Scaling and root planing can be done to remove stubborn tartar, prevent infection and restore the patient's overall dental health. The dentist usually recommends it for those with persistent or moderate gingivitis. This procedure is frequently more involved and time-consuming than a basic cleaning. Additional information may be provided to patients at the first session.
The dentist will numb the region with a local anesthetic during the procedure to lessen pain before scraping hard tartar away using scraping instruments. Pockets between the teeth and gums, which may occur as gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, may need special treatment. Tartar formation often worsens as food particles get stuck in these pockets. Hardened tartar may be removed using pressurized water and ultrasonic equipment. Root planing may be done at the same time as the cleaning.
Gum disease may cause a tooth's root to detach from the gums, creating space where bacteria and food particles can accumulate. Regular brushing and flossing may not be able to reach these gaps, which may lead to tooth loss. Root planing is a procedure that a dentist might use to try to reverse this process. Plaque and tartar are scraped and smoothed away during this operation, which may help to ward off infection. Smoothening the affected roots prevents bacteria from accumulating on those surfaces, thus initiating the healing process.
Patients may suffer discomfort or soreness at the treated region since both scaling and root planing are deep-cleaning procedures. To keep the region clean, dentists usually prescribe brushing and flossing on a regular basis. A few weeks after scaling and planing, a follow-up appointment may be arranged to confirm that periodontal pockets are healing properly.
If left untreated, gingivitis may develop into severe gum disease. Scaling and root planing may help reduce inflammation, bleeding, and tooth loss, which is common in the latter stages of the condition. If you are experiencing some of the symptoms of gum disease, you need to book an appointment with the dentist as soon as you can to prevent the condition from worsening. Do not forget, gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss and may contribute to other oral health issues.
Request an appointment here: https://bitterrootvalleydentalcare.com or call Bitterroot Valley Dental Care at (406) 625-0382 for an appointment in our Stevensville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Stevensville, MT.
Avoiding gum disease at all costs is essential, as once someone is diagnosed with this dental-related disease, it means that they are in need of additional dental treatment to restore their good oral health. Even though gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, it can still cause harm to one’s overall good oral health.Thinking…
Are you thinking about making an appointment with a laser dentist? This recent form of dentistry is becoming more common in both preventive and restorative care. It is helpful to learn more about what this professional can do and how visiting one can benefit your oral health and smile. In laser dentistry, the dentist can…
Thinking about choosing laser dentistry? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved laser dentistry as a treatment option for several dental conditions. Common conditions include treating gum disease, root canal infections and removing canker sores.Understanding what laser dentistry can treat is the first thing someone needs to do when considering this dental treatment option.…
Laser dentistry is a dental practice that can be used to treat both restorative and cosmetic conditions. One of the most common procedures that laser dentistry is capable of taking over is root canals. For the longest time, root canals have been done one way. However, modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of better…
The general dentist uses tooth fillings to repair tooth decay so that it does not…
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses primarily on issues with the appearance…
The headaches caused by TMJ disorders are often confused with tension headaches due to their…
Taking good care of teeth protects them from the many things that can damage them…
You should find the ideal emergency dentist before you need any urgent dental care.
During the meeting, the general dentist will clean off tartar that usually forms on the…
