Scaling and Root Planing: An Effective Way of Removing Tartar From Your Gums
Posted on: 15 January 2020
Your gums are exposed to many different materials on a daily basis. From the sugars in your diet to dirt and debris, foreign items can settle on your teeth and gums to form a clear layer called plaque. Plaque eventually hardens into a solid material called tartar, which accumulates at the base of your teeth and causes them to gradually detach from your gum tissue.
Tartar is a leading cause of tooth loss and other types of infections in the body. For example, gaps in your gums serve as entry points for bacteria, which may eventually navigate into your nerve endings and other areas. This is why keeping your gums healthy is critical to proper oral health.
If tartar is slowly eating away at your gums, you can correct the issue by getting scaling and root planing. Scaling refers to the removal of plaque and tartar from your teeth, after which planing is done to reattach loosened teeth to the gum tissue. This treatment also involves cleaning your gumline and removing harmful materials that may cause infection.
What you can expect
Scaling and root planing are essentially two processes in one. The goal is to remove tartar, clean your gums and reattach loose teeth to your gums and nerve endings. After the treatment, you'll be able to develop healthier nerves and gum tissue.
Scaling and planing are corrective periodontal procedures aimed at stopping the negative effects of gum infections. If you've been diagnosed with periodontal disease, your dentist may begin by taking advanced images of your teeth and gums. These images can determine the extent of damage and how thick the layer of tartar has become.
After imaging, your dentist will use a combination of tools to access the hardened layer of tartar inside your mouth. They may scrape, dissolve or surgically remove tartar from the base of the tooth. This procedure will be followed by careful reattachment of your teeth to their roots within your gums. As you heal, new nerve tissue will grow and attach to your teeth and gums.
Benefits
Scaling and root planing is an effective approach for dealing with tartar. As opposed to plaque, which is a clear layer that can be easily removed, tartar is harder to deal with. Timely scaling allows you to remove this hardened layer and prevent tooth loss down the road.
Furthermore, this procedure doubles up as a deep tooth cleaning process. Not only will your teeth receive cleaning from bacteria and other elements, but you can also address loose teeth in your gums and reduce biting/chewing complications.
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