Scale and Root Planing Aftercare

Before you can focus on taking care of your teeth and gum after having scaling and even root planing done lets first understand the procedure itself and why you might have to undergo such a process.

Why might You need Scaling and Root Planing

It’s Mother Nature at her best. There are millions of bacteria in our mouth, day in and day out. The health industry begs us to brush our teeth twice a day and floss once. This has common sense logic behind it. If that bacteria is left in your mouth it will form a tacky film on all of your teeth. That film will build up and create plaque. The plaque is still harboring acid carrying bacteria which attack the enamel in your teeth resulting in cavities. Not only will it result in cavities but it will also get below the gum line and infect the soft tissue of the gum. Literally 50% of the American adult population over the age of 35 have some form or level of gum disease. cleveland Scaling and root planing is a common procedure. It’s the only way to remove the infection-causing bacteria and reverse the disease.

The Scaling and Root Planing Procedure

The aftercare will depend on the extend of the procedure. When you have your teeth professionally cleaned the dentist or hygienist will use a hand held instrument to scrape the hardened plaque off of the surface of your teeth. If they must proceed below the gum line it is often called deep cleaning. A local anesthetic will be used to neutralize any discomfort you will experience with your gums. Root planing goes deeper yet. The objective is to smooth the surface of the teeth and roots, remove the plaque, and make it difficult to immediately adhere to the enamel again.

Proper Aftercare following a Scaling or Root Planing Procedure

Your recovery from either deep scaling or root planing will depend on the severity of the amount of plaque removal and the amount of inflammation in your gums due to the advance of the disease. You can expect some discomfort, maybe even a little pain, with regards to the tenderness of your gums. Brushing your teeth will be done carefully. This aching should be gone within three days. Your teeth may experience some increased sensitivity for a few days as well. Depending on the inflammation  there might be some slight bleeding during brushing for a day or two as the gums begin their healing process. From an appearance standpoint you will notice an improvement in the pinkish color of the gums. You may also notice the deeper pockets around the teeth. Hopefully these will close up with time as the gums re-adhere to the teeth. Simply exercise common sense through these healing days. If you have not exercised good oral hygiene prior to having these procedures then this is a good time to correct and improve your habits. By brushing well twice a day, seeing your dentist twice a year, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid scaling and root planing in the future.

More on Scale & Root Planing : How Much Does Scale & Root Planing Cost?