Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a serious infection that can be fixed by scaling and root planing during a dental appointment. This treatment is a form of periodontal therapy that is not invasive and does not involve surgery, though it can cause discomfort depending on the patient. For those experiencing the beginning stages of gum disease, scaling and root planing can be an excellent option to reverse the adverse effects on gums and teeth.
There are many aspects of periodontitis, and the severity of the infection determines the extent of teeth and gum damage. Learning the signs of gum disease can get patients into the dentist’s office quickly to prevent the spread of infection.
A patient may first notice symptoms of discomfort and pain surrounding teeth. Healthy gums are not sensitive and do not bleed from daily oral hygiene practices, but infected gums may be inflamed, red, tender or bleed after brushing or flossing. The good news is that this is the initial stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, when damage is still not severe. The gums have not pulled away from the teeth, and tissue and ligaments in the jaw have not yet been affected.
After gingivitis, the infection spreads deep beneath the gums into the tissue that attaches teeth to the jawbone. As tissue starts to decay, teeth may become loose and fall out. The jawbone itself can also wear away under the force of infection.
Plaque, a clear or yellow substance that sticks to the outside of teeth, builds up in pockets between the teeth and gums. Bacteria living inside the plaque emit toxic acids that erode the enamel and gums, creating an infection. This can result in cavities and decay in teeth and cause a decline in the gums. Plaque must be removed by a dentist to stop the infection.
Periodontal therapy is the procedure a dentist uses to get rid of the infection and alleviate the pain caused by it. While some patients require surgery, many can go in for a deep cleaning to remove plaque.
A deep cleaning comes in two parts: scaling, followed by root planing. Scaling is the process of using a hand instrument to scratch the plaque off of teeth, and root planing smooths out abrasions along the root of the tooth to which plaque can easily stick. Together, these techniques eliminate plaque and tartar from the mouth. A special dental procedure is necessary to remove plaque because of deep pockets between the teeth and gums that cannot be cleaned with normal tools. These pockets become deeper if plaque remains inside to eat away at the gums, so a dentist much make sure the pocket is completely cleaned.
Periodontitis becomes a reality for many patients who fail to go to a dentist regularly or do not complete daily brushings at home. Do not allow plaque to remain if symptoms of gum disease arise, and contact a dentist immediately about scaling and root planing.
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