A deep periodontal cleaning involves a cleaning of your teeth that goes beyond the usual care you expect during a routine dental visit. This procedure, also referred to as a scaling/root planing, includes a thorough cleaning of your teeth underneath your gum line. Why would your dentist need to perform such an involved treatment? A scaling/root planing is an important procedure for patients dealing with gingivitis. This infection of your gums, when left unchecked, can become more severe, and you can find yourself contending with periodontitis. While gingivitis can be reversed, more severe gum disease can only be managed, not stopped. A scaling/root planing can help you fight back against minor gum disease, and defend you against the effects of periodontitis.
Stop Gingivitis Before Your Gums Take A Turn For The Worse
Periodontitis will damage the bone and gum tissue surrounding the patient’s teeth. When this erosion takes place, your dental support is lost. When enough damage is done, you may need to have teeth extracted, or they could be lost on their own. To protect you against this, your dentist recommends undergoing a scaling/root planing when you show signs of gingivitis, so this more harmful condition is never allowed to develop.
Maintaining A Healthy Mouth Means Maintaining Healthy Gums
The actions you take to protect your teeth can also protect your gums. Carefully brushing and flossing can allow you to destroy harmful oral bacteria before they enjoy the opportunity to migrate below your gum line, and cause gingivitis. Keeping up with good preventive dental care means protecting against cavities, and fighting to stop the development of gum disease.