What Is Scaling And Planing And How Can It Help You?
Posted on: 17 February 2016
If you are plagued with gum disease or an excess buildup of plaque, there are several options that you can take. If you are somewhat proactive and do not wait until the issue becomes too severe, then there is a gum disease treatment and tooth cleaning option that will be able to ensure that your oral hygiene will become significantly better: scaling and planing.
The Process
The process of scaling and planing is quite simple. Scaling and planing is essentially a deep clean of your gums and teeth down to the very roots of your tooth. Although usually not painful, a dentist may apply a local anesthetic in order to ensure that you feel no pain during the process. There are a variety of options that a dentist may use during the scaling and planing process, including the use of ultrasonic tools in order to ensure that you receive an optimal cleaning – as well as significantly reducing your discomfort during the process. He or she may also employ antibiotic fibers that are placed in between the teeth after the scaling and planing process is complete. These fibers will help to provide any potential infection that may occur after the process is complete, and will be removed after approximately a week. The after effects of the scaling and planing process are essentially null, although you may experience a bit of numbness or tingling in the area in which the anesthetic was applied for a few hours afterwards.
Does It Work?
In a word: yes. However, this is not to say that you do not have to do your part in order to ensure that the scaling and planing process aids in stopping the onset of gum disease and tooth decay. If you are having issues with inflamed gums and "softness" in your gums, this process should work towards ameliorating these issues. However, you will have to make sure to practice good oral hygiene in the future. This means regular brushing (with subsequent flossing) and annual visits to the dentist office for check ups. If you are a smoker, it is highly recommended that you quit, as the use of tobacco will greatly increase the chances of you experiencing gum disease again, or can greatly exacerbate the effects of the gum disease you already are experiencing.
If you believe that scaling and planing is a treatment that may benefit you, it is highly recommended that you contact your trusted dentist or periodontist—like those at Fuller Periodontics & Implant Dentistry and other locations—as soon as you can.
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