When you visit your dentist, they may recommend scaling and root planing to prevent or treat gum disease. This procedure is often called "deep cleaning" because it goes above and beyond daily dental hygiene to clean deep below the gum line and remove deposits which can't be brushed away with a toothbrush. Here's what you need to know about the process.

Why Is Scaling & Root Planing Necessary?

If you have excellent dental hygiene, daily brushing and flossing remove the growth of bacterial plaque from your teeth and gums. But if you miss a spot or skip a cleaning, that plaque begins to harden. By leaching minerals from your tooth enamel, the plaque hardens itself into tartar, a tough substance that provides a hiding place for bacteria. When it's on your tooth enamel, tartar can lead to cavities. When tartar touches your gum line, it causes irritation that makes the gums pull away from the root of the tooth. Over time, plaque and tartar can creep lower and lower below the gum line, attacking the vulnerable roots of your teeth and causing gum disease and tooth loss. In this case, your daily dental hygiene isn't enough to fix the problem.

How Does Scaling & Root Planing Help?

The appropriate treatment for tartar is to remove it from your teeth using a tougher instrument than just a toothbrush. Your dentist will use a selection of small probes and scalers to identify and scour away these deposits. By carefully reaching below the gum line, your dentist gets rid of the source of irritation that causes gum disease in a process called scaling. Then, the tooth root is smoothed using root planing techniques to make it harder for bacteria and tartar to regain a foothold, and easier for the gum to heal.

If you're suffering from dental hygiene issues or gum disease, William U. Britton DDS, MAGD will help. Based in Chillicothe, OH, and serving patients of all ages across Ross County, Dr. Britton offers over 35 years of experience in dentistry. For professional care you can count on, put your trust in Dr. Britton and his team. To schedule an appointment, call (740) 772-2225 or send a message online.