WHAT IS SCALING AND ROOT PLANING?
Scaling and root planing, also known as a “dental deep cleaning” of your tooth roots, is an effective way to remove hard deposits, such as tartar or calculus. Depending on the individual’s needs, it can be done in one appointment or multiple visits for full effectiveness. Subsequently, with regular maintenance visits to Gentle Dentistry in Tampa, Florida, you will begin to see changes in unhealthy gums (which appear swollen and red), turning into healthy ones that are firm and pinkish-hued. This signifies infection control by means of improved gum health!
WHY IS THIS TYPE OF DENTAL CLEANING RECOMMENDED FOR ME?
Harmful bacteria can fester beneath your gumline without proper oral hygiene and cause painful inflammation. Left untreated, this bacterial buildup could lead to gingivitis or even more severe periodontal diseases that result in bleeding gums and tooth loss. Therefore, individuals of all ages need to practice a daily dental regimen with their brushing and flossing!
- Bone loss
- Loose teeth
- Complete loss of teeth
- Gum tissue loss
This variety of gum diseases is known as periodontal disease. Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto of Gentle Dentistry in Tampa, Florida, can provide a diagnosis and may suggest scaling and root planing (or SRP) to remove these hard deposits from your teeth.
AFTER SRP, CAN I GO BACK TO REGULAR DENTAL CLEANINGS?
Keeping good oral health can help protect your investment in treatments such as scaling and root planing. Periodontal disease requires regular maintenance cleanings every three to four months. Otherwise, the infection that necessitated treatment may come back with potentially serious consequences, including further bone loss. Regular maintenance visits are crucial to keeping gum and bone health strong, so be sure to stay on top of those appointments!
Conditions that can lead to the development of gum disease include:
- Family history
- Hormonal changes
- Poor dental hygiene
- Irregular cleaning appointments
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
WHAT CAN I DO TO MANAGE GUM DISEASE?
- Drs. Angela Rasmussen and Amanda del Cueto advocate for salivary diagnostic testing before periodontal therapy (or scaling and root planing), as it has been scientifically proven to work. There are 11 types of harmful bacteria that can contribute to diseases like heart attacks, strokes, or even Alzheimer’s disease! Take the time now to understand more about this testing
- Every patient with periodontal disease may benefit from the use of PerioProtect Trays. These trays are designed to release oxygen medication into the small pockets of the gum tissue to kill all the harmful bacteria present
- To further prevent future issues, our team may recommend oral probiotics. They work in the same way as gut probiotics by driving out harmful bacteria and replacing them with healthy, good bacteria
- At your four-to-six-week evaluation with your dental team at Gentle Dentistry, our dentists will continue to take measurements of your pocket depths to look for improvements and provide over-the-counter or take-home remedies to help you achieve excellent oral health
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT GENTLE DENTISTRY FOR PERIODONTAL CLEANING NEAR ME
If you are interested in learning about the cost and expectations of treatment for gingivitis or periodontal disease, call (813) 734-7102 to request an appointment.
