Root planing and scaling are deep-cleaning dental procedures that help prevent the spread of gum disease. Gum disease is caused mainly by poor oral hygiene. When you fail to care for your teeth, you create a suitable environment for bacterial growth, spreading to your healthy gums. The plaque can be removed by brushing your teeth properly. However, the plaque can harden, making it impossible for your soft-bristled toothbrush to remove. This is where going for scaling and root planing in Bradford is recommended.
Nevertheless, you might be confused about which type of dentist deals with root planing and scaling. This piece will help remove the confusion and assist you in knowing who to see when you require dental scaling treatment.
Who Should You Visit for Dental Scaling Treatment?
As aforementioned, this dental treatment removes plaque and hard tartar that forms in the deep areas of your teeth. When this is the case, it would be best to visit a general dentist first. They will be able to evaluate the condition of your teeth and know the best treatment plan.
On the other hand, if the plaque and tartar have advanced and led to periodontitis, it would be best to first check in with a periodontist. The periodontist will be able to treat the gum disease before you can go ahead with scaling and root planing.
So how do you know if you have gum disease?
Symptoms Of Gum Disease
Gum disease can spread pretty fast as its symptoms do not show until the disease has spread deep into your gums. However, there are common symptoms that have been linked with periodontal disease.
First, if you experience bleeding every time you brush and floss your teeth, this might indicate gum disease.
Your gums can withdraw from your teeth, leaving them exposed. This is known as receding gums.
In addition, gum disease can cause pus to come out of the swollen gums, which can have a foul smell. Therefore, if you feel like you always have bad breath even after brushing your teeth, this might mean you have periodontal disease.
When you have receding gums, your teeth are left weak and loose. This implies that if your teeth feel loose, it can be due to an infection caused by periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease targets the soft tissues of your gums. This can cause your gums to swell and become red and tender. Be watchful of the color and condition of your gums. If they appear red and swollen, this might indicate gum disease.
Now that you understand the symptoms of gum disease, it is essential to know who to see when you require root planning and scaling.
When Is Root Planing and Scaling Recommended?
Routine cleanings are performed to keep gum disease at bay. On the other hand, root planing and scaling are done to treat gum disease. If you have advanced periodontitis, root planing and scaling will suit you.
The general dentist will look at your teeth, and if you have deeper than normal gum pockets, the first treatment for gum disease will be root planing and scaling. So, the general dentist near you can perform scaling and root planing.
First, the dentist will apply local anesthesia to the affected area. Next, the dentist will remove all the tartar and plaque on your teeth. This is what is known as scaling. Scaling is done above and below your gum pockets as gum disease attacks deep within these areas.
After the dentist has removed the plaque, they will smoothen out and rough the roots’ surfaces. The smoothening and planing are essential as they create a good surface for your gums to reattach to your teeth.
Root planing and scaling can be done in one dental visit. However, you might require more than one dental visit. This is dependent on the extent of the periodontal disease.
Bottomline
So, if you want to go for root planing and scaling, you visit the general dentist or periodontist. Although that is the case, the periodontist has the know-how and skills to treat the condition if you have advanced periodontal disease. On the contrary, if you just need routine teeth cleaning, it would be best to visit South Simcoe Dental Care so that our dentist can clean your teeth and prevent gum disease infection.