Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems in the country. In fact, most adults have some form of infection in their gums, even if it is very mild. With the right hygiene and dental care, gum disease can be prevented or controlled before it poses serious health risks.
If your gums and roots are already threatened by the onset disease, you may benefit from a root planing and scaling procedure, also called a deep cleaning. As offered by our Mesa restorative dentistry practice, a deep cleaning can reverse the effects of advancing disease while preventing further complications.
When Is a Deep Cleaning Necessary?
Most cases of gum disease present little immediate risk to patients, but can present eventual risks if left ignored. In the early stages of gum disease, called gingivitis, patients may notice the following symptoms:
Light bleeding after brushing or irritation
Red or swollen gums
A receding gum line
Persistent bad breath
Pockets between teeth and gums
Depending on which symptoms are present and their severity, a cosmetic dentist may recommend multiple courses of action. Often, gingivitis can be effectively combatted through a combination of at-home dental hygiene and professional cleanings. However, if gum disease continues to develop, or the gums begin to pull away from teeth, a deep cleaning may be the most appropriate treatment.
The Deep Cleaning Procedure
A deep cleaning aims to remove bacteria and traces of infection from between the roots of teeth and adjacent gum tissue. The procedure employs similar methods to a regular professional cleaning in that plaque and tartar are first removed, before the surface of teeth are polished. Since a deep cleaning targets disease below the gum line, additional steps are taken to limit discomfort and curb the spread of disease:
A local anesthetic will be used to prevent discomfort, as the scaling and planing tools must reach below the gums.
A scaling tool will be used to manually remove plaque that has accumulated on roots, curbing infection and its related symptoms.
Using a planing tool, the surface of roots will be made smooth, particularly in the areas rough from infection. This will keep bacteria from forming on teeth, while providing an adequate surface for gums to re-attach.
If gum tissue appears to be especially vulnerable to infection, antibiotic fibers may be inserted between the tooth and gum, which will facilitate healing.
Benefits and Risks
If gingivitis is allowed to spread, it can present a variety of dental and health risks. Most notably, gingivitis may progress into periodontitis, which poses more severe symptoms as well as an elevated risk of tooth loss, heart disease, and stroke. Fortunately, a deep cleaning is one of the most effective treatments for early to moderate stages of gum disease. By inhibiting infection, periodontitis and its related symptoms can be minimized, leaving teeth strong and healthy.
Because a deep cleaning is non-invasive, the treatment itself carries minimal risk. You should, however, speak with your dentist if your immune system has been weakened or if you have recently undergone a major surgery.
Stop Gum Disease In its Tracks
Any signs of dental disease or decay should warrant a visit to the dentist. If you suffer from gingivitis or have a greater degree of infection, a deep cleaning may be the right solution for you. Contact our office to schedule an appointment or learn about our other treatment options.
Source: familycaredentistry
