Dental Hygiene Cleaning


Routine dental cleanings should be done at least every six months. Your dentist will scrape off any plaque or tartar, floss, and then polish your teeth for a deep clean. Scaling or root planing may be done if you have any signs of gingivitis. After your cleaning, your dentist can help you establish a daily dental hygiene routine that will keep your teeth healthy and white until your next cleaning.

 

 

Scaling and Root Planing


Scaling and root planing are deep cleanings below the gum line done to prevent gingivitis. Gingivitis is a generative disease that left untreated, will cause significant tooth and gum deterioration. Just the word gingivitis can strike panic in a patient’s mind. The reality is that the treatment is simple and performed right in your dentist’s office.

Plaque and tarter that sit on the teeth provide an environment which allows bacteria to thrive and multiply.  The bacteria will cause the gums to become inflamed and bleed. The condition becomes more noticeable when you brush your teeth or sometimes when you eat. These are signs of the early stage of gingivitis. Gingivitis is easily treated by having the hygienist scale and polish the teeth. If gingivitis is left untreated, the condition will progress and the roots will need  planing. The differences between scaling and root planing are simple. Scaling is the removal of dental tartar from the tooth surface. Root planing is the process of smoothing the root surfaces and removing any infected tooth structure.

As non-surgical procedures, scaling and planing are performed without any anesthesia, in the dentist’s office. While the procedure is usually painless, advanced stages of gingivitis may make it necessary to numb the area for complete comfort. Deep scaling and root planing is usually broken down into one section of the mouth per appointment. This allows for adequate healing time, and reduces the time for each appointment.