Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 481-1041
Scaling & Root Planing – Grapevine, TX
Reversing the Effects of Gum Disease to Restore Your Oral Health
According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two adults in America suffers from gum disease. Without timely treatment, this oral condition can wreak havoc on your mouth and cause permanent damage. That’s why Dr. Gregory Martin takes pride in providing his patients with thorough and high-quality scaling and root planing in Grapevine, TX to reverse the impact of this common issue and restore his patients’ oral health. If you suffer from the early signs of gum disease, be sure to contact our dental office so we can schedule your treatment as soon as possible.
What is Scaling & Root Planing?
You may have heard the scaling and root planing procedure referred to as a “deep cleaning.” If we spot the early or escalated signs of gum disease during your routine checkup, we may suggest this treatment to reverse the effects of the condition and restore your oral health. Over the course of two appointments, we’ll remove built up plaque and tartar from below your gumline and encourage your gums to reattach to the root of your teeth. Receding gums can leave you vulnerable to infections and severe toothaches that can result in the need for more invasive treatments down the road. With the proper gum disease treatment in Grapevine, we can prevent that from occurring.
Why Do You Need Gum Disease Treatment?
We typically recommend our deep cleaning treatment to patients whose gum disease has progressed past the ability to be treated at home with proper dental hygiene. When we notice any of the following symptoms, like bleeding gums in Grapevine, you will most likely need immediate intervention:
- Receding gums (gums that pull away from your teeth and make them appear longer)
- Bleeding while brushing and flossing
- Chronic bad breath
- Discomfort while chewing
- Loose or shifting permanent teeth
- Plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth
As soon as we notice these signs, we’ll begin determining whether scaling and root planing or another gum disease treatment method is the best option for you. In more severe cases, we may recommend a combination of scaling and root planing as well as antibiotic treatment.
The Scaling & Root Planing Procedure
The first step of the procedure is gum scaling in Grapevine. We will numb your gums and the roots of your teeth with a local anesthesia before we begin, but the overall procedure causes very little discomfort. Using a handheld scaler, we’ll remove hardened tartar and plaque from your teeth as well as above and below your gumline. We typically clean as far down as the depth of your gum pockets to ensure that no harmful substances are left behind.
The second appointment will consist of root planing. This is where we will smooth out the roots of your teeth and attempt to get your gums to reconnect with your roots to prevent harmful oral bacteria from having access to these sensitive and vulnerable areas of your mouth. It will also prevent your gum disease from getting worse.
Tips for a Speedy Recovery
After your deep cleaning, you may experience some slight discomfort and tooth sensitivity for a day or two. Your gums may also appear slightly swollen and tender. To help ease any of your pain, we may prescribe you a mouth rinse or pill. Other than that, it’s important that you continue to brush, floss, and rinse your mouth every day to prevent plaque and tartar from reaccumulating. Avoiding tobacco use, nail-biting, and eating a nutritious diet can also speed up your recovery process.
If you have any questions about treating gum disease or taking care of your mouth after your scaling and root planing procedure, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office. One of our friendly dental professionals can help answer any of your concerns to make sure your mouth remains in tip-top shape.