Scaling and Root Planing

Many people in the Suwanee area know about the importance of cleaning their teeth on a regular basis. They will brush their teeth at least twice each day, floss and even rinse with anti-bacterial agents. However, not everybody looks after their teeth conscientiously, and as a result plaque and tartar collect along the gum line, and cavities and tooth decay and gum disease develop. Gum disease can lead to advanced periodontal disease, which is the main catalyst for tooth loss.

Periodontal disease can affect both soft tissue (gum) and hard tissue (bone), presenting an environment in which debris and bacteria thrive. The resulting infection spreads into the tooth, which is a living organism, and though it will work to fight the infection, it usually succumbs and dies. The loss of a tooth does not simply result in more difficulty with chewing tough or fibrous foods, it also means a weakened jaw bone and the likelihood of further infection and more lost teeth. Additionally, any time a tooth is lost the remaining teeth will shift into the edentulous (tooth-less) space, changing a person’s bite pattern. The bite pattern of each person develops as they grow and permanent teeth appear. This means the muscles and joints of a person’s jaw, neck and head are trained in very specific ways, and even the smallest alterations in that pattern can cause head, neck and jaw pain as well as frequent headaches and new behaviors such as teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism).

It is important to fight gum and periodontal disease in any way possible. The easiest method is through regular dental hygiene practices. Additionally, at least one formal cleaning a year will easily identify and reduce the extent of any problems. If a patient learns that he/she has gum disease, it is imperative that they work with their dentist or hygienist to develop a plan to address the issue. If periodontal disease is present the dental professional will probably recommend scaling and root planing. These procedures involve using small scraping tools to clean between the teeth and gum tissue all the way down to the roots. Most patients will require the application of a numbing agent during these procedures as the dentist will be working on tender and usually infected areas that may be painful to touch.

A Suwanee dentist or hygienist will also traditionally apply antibiotic materials in the pockets between the teeth and gum tissue to speed healing and fight any existing infection. The patient will need to return a week later to have the material removed and the treatment site(s) examined. Most people will see their gum disease eliminated following scaling and root planing procedures, but they will still need to keep on top of their oral hygiene to ensure that the gums and teeth remain disease free.