Treatment FAQ

gum treatment scaling how often

by Adrienne Boyle DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Individuals with healthy teeth and gums only need a regular dental checkup and cleaning twice a year; however, depending on the severity of your periodontitis, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, at least twice a year or more.Aug 10, 2020

Do I need scaling and root planing for gum disease treatment?

But if the condition progresses to the next stage (periodontitis), gum disease treatment, such as scaling and root planing (SRP) therapy, will likely be needed to protect your oral health. To treat the periodontitis stage of gum disease, the specialists at Premier Periodontics may recommend scaling and root planing therapy.

What is teeth scaling and how is it done?

What is teeth scaling? Your dentist may recommend that you get your teeth scaled. This procedure is generally conducted along with root planing. In more common terms, these procedures are known as a “deep cleaning.”. Teeth scaling and root planing help to treat chronic periodontal disease (otherwise known as gum disease).

How long does teeth scaling and root planing take?

Teeth scaling and root planing often take more than one dental visit and could require a local anesthetic based on the severity of your chronic periodontal disease and if you have receding gums. Recovery from this outpatient procedure usually only takes a few days but may take longer.

Do I need a dental cleaning for gum disease?

Dental cleanings are not a treatment for active gum disease. They are, though, an important preventive measure that can help you stave off its development. Scaling and root planing.

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How often should periodontal scaling be done?

Most periodontists recommend scaling and root planing twice a year or more, depending on the severity of your gum disease. In fact, some patients are seen every 3 – 4 months.

How often should you get your gums deep cleaned?

Typically, most people are required to undergo two dental cleanings a year; however, a dental deep cleaning is required because the gums and teeth are in bad shape. With that being said, general dentists typically recommend that patients get cleanings every three months after a dental deep cleaning.

How often should I go for scaling and polishing?

How often should I scale and polish my teeth? The most common answer will be once every 4-6 months, but this may not always be true. Many factors determine how often you should have your teeth cleaned, and the most crucial factor will be your oral health condition.

When do you need periodontal scaling?

If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, however, scaling and root planing may be needed. A July 2015 study in the Journal of the American Dental Association finds that scaling and root planing is beneficial to patients with chronic periodontitis (gum disease that has advanced past gingivitis).

Why are dentists pushing deep cleaning?

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, and suffer from bone loss, inflammation, and/or tartar has accumulated beneath the gumline, then the hygienist will need to clean 'deeper' below the gumline, and this is often known as a dental deep cleaning.

Do gums reattach after deep cleaning?

While any gum loss experienced due to gum disease will not grow back, the majority of patients can expect their gums to reattach after undergoing a deep cleaning. This is because all of the harmful bacteria has been removed, allowing the gums to once again be healthy.

How frequently scaling can be done?

How frequently should scaling be done? Plaque formation on the teeth is a continuous process. If this is not removed by brushing it starts mineralizing into tartar within 10-14 hours. Such persons may require periodic scaling, every 6 months or so.

How many times can we do scaling?

How often should scaling be done? Teeth scaling is recommended once in six months. The frequency might differ based on the type of saliva.

How often can you do scaling?

Healthy kids and adults should have their teeth cleaned via scaling at least twice each year. Periodontal problems can cause tooth decay and gum infection.

How do you know if you need scaling?

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A SCALING AND ROOT PLANNING?Bleeding gums (a sign of an ongoing oral infection)Swollen gums.Red, sensitive gums.Pain when brushing or flossing.Gum recession.Gum discoloration.Tooth pain.Constant bad breath, no matter how much you brush or use mouthwash.

Does scaling cure gum disease?

Teeth scaling and root planing are considered to be the “ gold standard ” treatment for chronic periodontal disease. A 2015 review of 72 journal articles on these procedures found that they improved the pocket gap between teeth and gums by .

Is scaling teeth really necessary?

Scaling and root planing are not necessary for those with healthy gums. A dentist will only recommend the deep cleaning procedure if a patient has gum disease.

What is a scaling and root planing?

At Premier Periodontics, we conduct deep periodontal cleanings called scaling and root planing to clean our patients’ gums. Treating gum disease may require many visits. During your scaling and root planing visit, we use a scaler to remove plaque buildup. Next, your teeth are smoothed so that none of the bacteria can hide and cause another infection. This gum disease treatment is recommended for patients with gum pockets deeper than three millimeters.

How to tell if you have gingivitis?

For some of our patients, bleeding gums may be the only symptom they experience when they develop gingivitis. Some other common symptoms include: 1 Red, swollen, or tender gums 2 Persistent bad breath 3 Loose or separating teeth 4 Bite changes

What is scaling and root planing?

Scaling and root planing is a process designed to help individuals who are suffering from periodontitis. When gum disease is left untreated, the plaque and tartar that accumulate around your teeth and gums will require dental intervention to be removed.

Why do dentists plan tooth roots?

Once this is complete, your dentist will then begin the root planing process, which involves smoothing the tooth root to encourage proper reattachment of the tissues to your teeth as well as minimize the possibility of reinfection. Smoother tooth roots make it much more difficult for bacteria, tartar, and plaque to adhere to your teeth.

Does scaling remove tartar from gums?

Unfortunately, regular brushing and flossing will not be enough to eliminate it from your smile, so it is likely that your dentist will recommend a more extensive form of treatment. Scaling involves gently scraping away plaque and tartar from the gum line and deep within the gum pocket formations.

How often do you need scaling and root planing?

When your gum disease progresses beyond gingivitis, you will need more extensive gum disease treatment. At Think Oral Implants and Periodontics, our periodontist, Dr. Ting, offers scaling and root planing as a means to restore gum health and to minimize infection.

The Scaling and Root Planing Procedure

Scaling and root planing is a treatment that helps individuals suffering from periodontitis. When your gum disease is left untreated, plaque and tartar will continue to accumulate around your teeth and gums. This must be removed in order to restore your gum health.

How often is it necessary for optimal oral health?

Dr. Ting will recommend an annual checkup and biannual dental cleanings to most patients. However, depending on the stage of your gum disease, he may recommend scaling and root planing, at least twice a year or more. Some patients are seen every three to four months. This is determined by your overall health and your dental history.

Understanding the scaling and root planing process

Dental scaling and root planing is beneficial for your dental health needs. The practice works as a dentist in Merrimack, NH goes under the gumline to clear out plaque and other deposits that form around the deepest parts of your teeth. The process is more intensive than what you’d undergo during a traditional dental cleaning.

Do you require these treatments more often?

Our dentist in Merrimack, NH recommends you undergo more frequent dental scaling and root planing procedures if your teeth are vulnerable. Teeth with thin or weak enamel or surfaces that feel rough will require more frequent treatments.

Contact us today for dental care in Merrimack, NH

Dental scaling and root planing can help you keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risk of possible infections. You’ll require care for your teeth to ensure there are not problems with how they function. Proper scheduling is necessary for these procedures, as the effort can be intensive and may require more effort than you might expect.

Why do you need a periodontal maintenance visit?

Periodic periodontal maintenance visits may be recommended to help minimize the risk of future flare-ups and keep the disease from progressing.

What is scaling and root planing?

Scaling and root planing is a treatment performed to clean out these pockets, smooth the root surfaces, and create a healthier environment that can allow the gums to heal.

What causes tooth loss?

Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss among adults, making it extremely important to treat this progressive condition as early as possible to prevent further oral damage. If you have signs or symptoms of gum disease , or have been told that you need scaling and root planing therapy, please schedule a visit at one of our Premier Periodontics locations in Bellevue, Redmond, Olympia, Mercer Island, Kirkland Kent, and Everett, WA. Our specialists are experts at providing periodontal care and protecting the smiles of our patients with nonsurgical gum disease treatment.

How many visits to do root planing?

Scaling and root planing is generally completed within 1 – 4 visits, depending on the extent of the condition. We typically treat a quarter of the mouth at each visit, which allows us to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar deposits from beneath the gumline and clean out periodontal pockets as effectively as possible.

How to tell if you have gum disease?

Though a thorough periodontal exam is needed in order to diagnose gum disease, there are a number of signs and symptoms that often indicate its presence, including: Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Gums that bleed when you brush or floss. Red, puffy, or tender gums. A receding gumline.

What is the first stage of gum disease?

The initial stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis , can often be addressed with a thorough dental prophylaxis and improved oral care at home. But if the condition progresses to the next stage (periodontitis), gum disease treatment, such as scaling and root planing (SRP) therapy, will likely be needed to protect your oral health.

What is the term for the pockets between the teeth and gums?

When gum disease occurs, the soft tissues surrounding the teeth become infected and pull away from the tooth surfaces. This creates deeper spaces (called periodontal pockets) between the teeth and gums where bacteria, plaque, and tartar accumulate.

How to treat gum disease?

Some treatments for gum disease are surgical. Some examples are: Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery. During this procedure the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide.

What is the procedure to fill gums?

Soft tissue grafts. This procedure reinforces thin gums or fills in places where gums have receded. Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area. Guided tissue regeneration.

What is the purpose of scaling and root planing?

Scaling and root planing is done if your dentist or periodontist determines that you have plaque and calculus (hardened plaque, also called tartar) under the gums that needs to be removed.

Why are gums placed around teeth?

The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. This method reduces the size of the space between the gum and tooth, thereby decreasing the areas where harmful bacteria can grow and decreasing the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease. Bone grafts.

How long does it take for a tooth to heal from root planing?

The medication is available as a mouth rinse or as a gelatin-filled chip that is placed in pockets after root planing and releases the medication slowly over about 7 days. Other antibiotics, including doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline (Arestin) may also be used to treat gum disease, as determined by your dentist.

Can a periodontist perform a dental procedure?

Your dentist or periodontist is able to perform most procedures in their office. The time needed to perform the procedure, your degree of discomfort, and time needed to heal will vary from patient to patient depending on the type and extent of the procedure and your overall health.

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Indications For Scaling

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Those who are careless about oral hygiene and brushing are commonly more prone to plaque and other periodontal problems. Others, in spite of self-care, cleaning, and flossing, still do need professional dental care too. Bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitivity, and color stains are some of the indicators that scaling is required. If y…
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Frequency of Tooth Scaling

  • Regular plaque and calculus removal are essential for healthy gums and bone around the dental structures. The frequency of professional cleaning depends on the health of your teeth and gums. Generally, it depends on how rapidly deposits occur in your mouth. For some patients, deposits develop relatively quickly (as early as three/four months). In case you are a smoker or have a ten…
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Advantages of Scaling

  • Tooth scaling can help prevent oral cancer.A study conducted by The Oral Cancer Foundation found that there is one death caused by oral cancer every hour, every day, in the United States. When you are regularly visiting, your dentist, you are also being screened for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed at the initial stages. The same goes for gum disease. Diagnosed earl…
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After Care

  • Contrary to belief, in expert hands scaling and polishing is not detrimental to the enamel. On healthy teeth with intact enamel, professional & expert cleaning doesn't do any damage. Teeth scaling is a safe procedure if done with a time gap of four or five months. Make sure your dental hygienist is an experienced one. After cleaning and root planing are completed, you may feel mi…
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Take Away

  • Healthy kids and adults should have their teeth cleaned via scaling at least twice each year. Periodontal problems can cause tooth decay and gum infection. At Kirkland Premier Dentistry Dr. Gaurav Sharmahas 400+ hours of Continuing education from the prestigious AAID (American Academy of Implant Dentistry). He applies for the latest research & adva...
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