Treatment for gum disease: Scaling and Root Planing in Reno

If you are religious about your oral hygiene habits and visit your dentist regularly, you can prevent gum disease and many other dental concerns. Unfortunately, people often delay dental appointments, assuming there is nothing to worry about because they don’t have any symptoms or immediate signs of disease. Lack of professional dental cleaning can lead to a buildup of tartar and plaque, which can eventually cause symptoms such as bleeding gums. In such cases, standard cleaning will not suffice, and your dentist in reno Nevada will recommend scaling and root planing. Here’s what you must know about these procedures. 

What happens during scaling and root planing?

During standard cleaning, your dentist usually removes tartar and plaque from the visible part of your teeth. Scaling and root planing are deep cleaning procedures that go beyond the gum line. The scaling process involves removing hardened plaque (tartar) and plaque from above and below the gum line. Root planing is the next step, which is about smoothing the roots of your teeth so that the gum tissues can reattach to the teeth. 

How long do these procedures take?

Your dentist will usually complete scaling and root planing in one visit. However, if you have an extreme buildup of plaque and tartar, you may need two or more appointments. Contrary to popular belief, these procedures do not hurt, and your dentist will use local anesthesia to prevent pain and discomfort. 

Aftercare after scaling and root planing

You may experience teeth sensitivity, pain, and discomfort for the next seven days after deep cleaning. It is common to have swollen and bleeding gums, but these side effects usually fade in a few days. In some cases, scaling and root planing are coupled with topical antibiotic treatment into the pockets between teeth and gums to accelerate healing. You may also have to take oral antibiotics and pain relievers, depending on the extent of gum disease. 

Benefits of deep cleaning procedures

Both scaling and root planing are recommended for treating mild to moderate periodontal disease. After the procedures, you will see a significant improvement in your oral health, addressing issues like bleeding gums. Deep cleaning also helps fix the concern of chronic bad breath, which is called halitosis. If not addressed, gum disease can otherwise progress rapidly, leading to recession of gum tissues and teeth loss. Gum recession requires more complex procedures, such as gum grafting, and it is always better to consider scaling and root planing in the earlier stages of gum disease. 

When to call your dentist?

While scaling and root planing are simple procedures with little complications, you should call your dentist if the bleeding doesn’t stop. Also, if you have found no relief with pain relievers or have extreme swelling, let the clinic know. Usually, you will take antibiotics to address infections, but if you have a fever or other signs, don’t delay seeking help. 

How often does a patient need deep cleaning procedures?

You only need scaling and root planing once, depending on the current stage of gum disease. If you keep up with brushing and flossing and go for routine dental cleanings, you don’t need deep cleaning procedures. The eventual goal of scaling and root planing is to heal your gums, and your dentist will explain if additional sessions are necessary. 

Takeaway

With scaling and root planing, you can address gum-related concerns, such as swelling, inflammation, and bleeding, without the need for invasive treatments. Many patients don’t always have evident symptoms of periodontal disease, which is why periodic oral exams at the clinic are so important. Ask your dentist in Reno about ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy.