Scaling & Root Planing – Lincoln, NE
Advanced Care for Advanced Gum Disease
Did you know that nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 have an advanced form of periodontal disease? Although this condition is common, it can have devastating effects on your oral and overall health. Our team at Williamsburg Dental can provide the necessary treatment to get your infected gums back to their firm, pale pink state, so don’t wait. Contact our team to schedule an appointment for scaling and root planing in Lincoln, NE and today!
Scaling
At first glance, scaling looks a lot like a routine dental cleaning, but instead of just addressing the plaque that is attached the crown of the tooth, scaling goes a step further. Under the gum line, pockets of trapped plaque can lurk on the teeth’s roots and weaken the tissue and bone support given to your teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss. Scaling involves clearing out these pockets and getting rid of the harmful bacteria on the surfaces both above and below the gum line.
Root Planing
Once the root surfaces have been cleaned through scaling, we then perform root planing. Basically, we take the time to even out the exposed roots, which are naturally rough in texture. By doing this, we make it easier for the gum tissue to reattach, speeding up healing time. Also, bacteria have a more difficult time accumulating on smooth surfaces, reducing the likelihood of reinfection in the future.
Importance of Treating Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease doesn’t just impact the gum tissue. It can affect your smile and your entire body. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to permanent bone and tissue damage and even tooth loss. In addition, studies have shown a strong connection between gum disease and other serious medical conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Many researchers believe that the inflammation-causing bacteria enter the bloodstream and aggravate problems in other parts of the body.
Periodontal Maintenance
Once we’ve treated your mouth with scaling and root planing, we may need to repeat the process about every three to four months until we see improvement. When we feel more certain that the infection is under control, we can switch to maintaining your oral health, which is rather simple. Basically, you need to make sure that you brush and floss your teeth every day to prevent plaque from calcifying between your teeth and near the gum line. You also need to come to Williamsburg Dental for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. These steps may seem small, but they make a big difference in keeping your teeth and gums healthy for years to come.