Creating Healthier Gums with Effective Solutions
Serving Newton, MA, and its surrounding areas, Waban Dental Group specializes in preventing and treating periodontal (gum) disease, a leading cause of tooth loss. Our therapeutic deep cleanings, including scaling and root planing, aim to eliminate the source of infection, promote oral health, and extend the lifespan of your teeth.
Learn more about our targeted options for gum disease treatment in Newton and schedule your consultation today.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease affects millions of adults in the United States each year; unfortunately, many of these cases remain untreated. When bacteria attack your gums, bleeding, swelling, and redness can occur.
Also referred to as periodontal disease, it can represent the most advanced stages of this dental issue, endangering both your oral health and overall well-being. This infection compromises the gum attachment and bone around your teeth, affecting your bite’s stability. Moreover, its link to systemic health issues like heart disease and diabetes underscores the importance of timely treatment.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Key indicators of gum disease include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Receding gumlines
- Spaces between teeth
- Tooth mobility and loss
- Heavy tartar buildup
- Halitosis
If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s crucial to seek professional evaluation. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent the progression and associated health risks of periodontal disease.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease
The diagnosis involves measuring the depth of the sulcus around each tooth to identify infection-induced detachment. Deep pockets suggest active disease and warrant immediate gum disease treatment in Weston. Dental X-rays also help assess bone loss and guide treatment recommendations, including scaling and root planing.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a procedure that involves meticulous cleaning below the gumline, targeting tartar buildup on the tooth roots to facilitate gum reattachment. Performed under local anesthesia or nitrous oxide sedation for your comfort, scaling and root planing is a pivotal step in halting periodontal disease and fostering gum health.
Do You Need Scaling & Root Planing?
The only way to determine whether you need scaling and root planing is to meet with your dentist to discuss the health of your gum tissues. During our evaluation, we will look for clear signs of gum disease that indicate the need for treatment to improve oral health.
The most common signs that point to essential scaling and root planing include:
- Loose teeth caused by bone loss
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Difficulty chewing
- Tenderness and redness of the gums
- Bleeding and inflamed gum tissues
- Gum recession (teeth appear longer than usual)
- You claim to have a bad taste in your mouth
Seeking treatment when the problem is in its earliest stages ensures the infection does not spread. This proactive step can reduce your risk of bone and tooth loss, as well as other systemic problems that can develop throughout your body.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
We’ll start with scaling, which includes thoroughly cleaning your teeth and the area around the gumline to remove plaque and tartar buildup. If necessary, we can provide dental sedation to help you stay relaxed throughout the procedure. Then we’ll move on to root planing, which involves cleaning deep within the gum pockets to smooth the tooth roots, remove any existing bacteria, and prevent future reinfection.
The process is designed to encourage gum reattachment and minimize bacterial accumulation.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling Root Planing
Post-treatment, our team will closely monitor your gum health and schedule more frequent cleanings to prevent disease recurrence. We adapt the frequency of your cleanings based on your gums’ response to maintain your oral health and minimize future risks.
You can expect your gums to feel tender afterward, so using a special mouthrinse or antibiotic can help ease discomfort. You might also consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and avoiding spicy, hot foods until your gums are fully healed, which usually takes a week or so.
