What is deep cleaning?

Scaling and root planning is a deep cleaning below the gum line used to treat gum disease.

 When is it necessary?

Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but if they aren’t cleaned well, the bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets. Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. If untreated, gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss.

If gum disease is caught early and hasn’t damaged the structures below the gum line, a professional cleaning should do. If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, however, scaling and root planning may be needed.

A recent study finds that scaling and root planning is beneficial to patients with chronic periodontitis (gum disease that has advanced past gingivitis). Chronic periodontitis affects 47.2 per cent of adults over 30. 

This deep cleaning has two parts. Scaling is when we remove all the plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) above and below the gum line, making sure to clean all the way down to the bottom of the pocket. We will then begin root planning, smoothing out your teeth roots to help your gums reattach to your teeth. Scaling and root planning may take more than one visit to complete and may require a local anesthetic. 

Dr Keith John

email: drkeithjohn@gmail.com

Clinic: Heritage Dental

Tel: 784-456-2220

Cell: 784-526-0752