How Often Do You Need Scaling and Root Planing?
Do you have red, tender, and bleeding gums? You might have an accumulation of plaque at the gum line. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that attach to the healthy tissue around the gums and teeth. If this builds up, the gums become irritated and inflamed, leading to gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. Fortunately, it can be reversed by your dentist with a combination of dental procedures, including deep cleaning and plaque removal.
When are Scaling and Root Planing Needed?
If you religiously maintain good oral hygiene at home and regularly get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months, your gums will remain healthy and painless. Once you start to show signs of progressive gum disease or periodontitis, you might need deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing which has been shown to be effective in slowing down the progression of the disease.
Who Needs Scaling and Root Planing?
In a healthy mouth, the gum tissue should be tightly attached to the teeth with a small pocket at the gum line. With periodontitis, this pocket starts to grow deeper and even causes the teeth to loosen and fall out altogether. Unfortunately, when gum disease has progressed into periodontitis, it can be completely reversed anymore. But it can be mitigated when caught and treated promptly. Scaling and root planing are one of the treatment options for periodontitis.
What are Scaling and Root Planing?
This is a non-surgical treatment option considered the gold standard for treating patients with chronic periodontitis. Scaling and root planing aim to remove harmful bacteria buildup and create an environment for gums to heal. Scaling is the process of removing all plaque, tartar, and bacterial deposits from the teeth and root surfaces, while root planing smoothes the surfaces of the affected teeth under the gumline. The latter makes it harder for bacteria, plaque, and tartar to adhere to the teeth, allowing gums to heal and reattach.
How Effective is Scaling and Root Planing?
Performing scaling and root planing requires attention to detail. If all harmful bacteria and plaque are not removed, the infection will only return and continue to destroy the gum tissue and tooth structure. The effectiveness of these treatments depends on factors like the current progression of the disease; patient compliance with treatment and oral hygiene; depth of periodontal pockets; and unique shape and grooves of the teeth root, which can limit the visibility of underlying deep debris and calculus.
How Often is Scaling and Root Planing Needed?
The frequency of getting these treatments largely depends on the condition of the gums. For people with a relatively healthy oral cavity, it is recommended that they schedule routine teeth cleanings twice a year. Meanwhile, those with advanced periodontitis might have to get deep cleaning more than twice a year, along with regular professional cleanings. Good oral hygiene at home can help keep these visits to a minimum. Ultimately, the dentist will have the last say on how often a person should get scaling and root planing.
Aside from regular brushing and flossing, it is also important to see a dentist every six months for routine dental cleanings, as well as for an annual exam. These visits can address potential concerns and keep dental health on the right track. If you think you need scaling and planing, schedule an appointment with a reputable dentist near you and see if this is the procedure that you need for a healthy smile.
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