Brushing and flossing are only the beginning for a healthy smile. Underneath your gumline, bacteria and plaque can easily build up and silently destroy your teeth and their supporting tissues. Leave this unaddressed, and next you will have to face gum disease, bone loss, and even tooth loss. This is where scaling and root planning come in. It is an outstanding way of protecting oral health from long-term damage through the very fine non-surgical deep cleaning process.
What Is Scaling And Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing Wellington is a type of periodontal therapy combined into two parts, cleansing below the gumline and treating the first stages of gum disease (also referred to as periodontal disease).
- Scaling is the process in which plaque and hardened tartar (calculus) are removed from the surface of teeth and beneath the gumline.
- Root planing smoothens the root surfaces, which help gum tissues to reattach to the teeth and discourage further bacterial growth and accumulation.
What Are the Signs You Need Scaling and Root Planing?
Most patients will never even realize that they have to undergo some sort of periodontal treatment until the symptoms are evident and discomforting. If you experience any of these signs, your dentist may indicate scaling and root planing:
- Gums that bleed while brushing or flossing
- Bad breath that does not seem to go away
- Gums pulling away from the teeth (recession)
- Looseness of the teeth or their movement
- Presence of deep pockets around the teeth during examination
These symptoms, when addressed early, can make a huge difference in saving your oral health and preventing damage that is irreversible.
How does Scaling and Root Planing Protect Oral Health?
Scaling and root planing clean teeth, care for gums, and improve oral health for the long term. By removing harmful bacteria and smoothing the rough root surface, the procedure counters the progress of periodontal disease and aids in healing.
Among the principal benefits are these:
- Stops the progress of periodontal disease—early treatment keeps the disease from penetrating deeper and losing teeth.
- Less inflammation and bleeding improve the ability to brush and floss.
- Encourages gum reattachment—the sulcus is tight between gums and teeth to keep bacteria out.
- Odor- causing bad bacteria out—bacterial combat with chronic bad breath at its source.
- Better Health All Around—reduces systemic inflammation which may or may not be due to heart disease, diabetes, and so on.
- Reduces future dental costs, saving the cost of more complex and expensive procedures down the road.
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, and going through scaling and root planing is just as good for gums as it is for teeth. Scaling and root planing act proactively in managing gum diseases and protecting one from such diseases in the long term. Signs that the gums may be having trouble can mean it’s a very good time to book an appointment for a consultation. The first step toward a healthier mouth and more confident smile- your future self will thank you for it.