The oral bacteria gathering in your mouth can harm more than just your teeth. Patients can develop gingivitis when some of those bacteria build up at your gum line, and infect your periodontal tissue. By having your dentist perform a scaling/root planing, you can put a stop to this condition, so that gingivitis does not progress into more serious gum disease. That prevention is important to your long-term oral health. Without intervention, gum disease can grow more serious, and its effects can be more severe. You might not realize it, but advanced gum disease is actually the most common cause of tooth loss for adults.

How A Scaling/Root Planing Tackles Periodontal Problems

During a scaling/root planing, your dentist is taking care to clean the portions of teeth that are under your gum line. Local anesthesia can help protect you against discomfort. The first step is to perform that full cleaning of your teeth roots. Once that is finished, your dentist will polish their surfaces. This is a similar step to the polishing of teeth that takes place after a standard dental cleaning. This part of the process is undertaken to help make it harder for bacteria to build up on your roots in the future.

Why Stopping Gum Disease Is Important To Sustaining Your Oral Health

Without timely intervention, gingivitis can mature, and become more destructive gum disease. When patients develop this more advanced infection, they can suffer from a deterioration of periodontal tissues, and even the areas of your jawbone supporting your teeth. This damage is what can lead to tooth loss associated with gum disease.

Visit Our Office in Baxter, MN!

Dr. Clinton L. Roberts and the friendly staff at Greenhaven Family Dental are happy to help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile with a comprehensive approach to general dentistry. With years of training and experience in dental sleep medicine, Dr. Roberts is also adept at helping patients treat snoring and sleep apnea so they can rest more easily (and quietly). To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call our office in Baxter, MN, today at (218) 454-0523. We proudly welcome patients from Brainerd, Little Falls, Staples, Crosby-Ironton-Deerwood, and all surrounding communities.