Did you know that gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in the US? If so, did you also know that it’s considered a risk factor for several serious health problems, such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and dementia? At Beverly Farms Dental, we know that the health of the gums is just as important as the teeth, which is why we work to prevent this infection at every single appointment. If a patient already has gum disease, then we’re ready to offer a treatment that is proven to kill the harmful bacteria right where it lives, safeguarding a patient’s oral and overall health.
If we see that a patient is experiencing the symptoms of gum disease (red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed easily while brushing), then our first line of defense usually involves a treatment called scaling and root planing, which you can think of as a special dental cleaning that is solely focused on the gums and roots of the teeth.
First, an ultrasonic cleaner is used to thoroughly remove any plaque, tartar, and bacteria built up below the gum line (scaling), and then the rough surfaces of the teeth’s roots are gently reshaped and smoothed out (root planing). Why do this? This makes plaque and bacteria less likely to accumulate around the gums in the future, lowering a person’s chances of reinfection.
Depending on the extent of a person’s gum infection, a complete scaling and root planing treatment can take anywhere from one to four appointments to complete. Afterward, a patient will be asked to come in more often for regular dental cleanings to ensure the disease remains under control.