Periodontal disease, or “gum disease”, is a chronic condition that results in swollen gum tissue and frequent oral bleeding. There are plenty of steps you can take to try and prevent gum disease, such as daily flossing and a healthy diet, but in the event that you do develop a gum infection, you can depend on Dr. Weldon and his team to provide gentle, thorough gum disease treatment in our Rome dental office. These deep cleanings will restore your oral health, help prevent tooth loss, and freshen your breath. Do you think you might have gum disease? Call our dental office today.
Sometimes, early-stage gum disease can be combatted with increased oral hygiene efforts at home. However, in situations where the gum disease bacteria has spread deeper into the gums, a scaling and root planing is necessary. Also known as a “deep cleaning,” a scaling and root planing treatment aims to eliminate harmful plaque and tartar trapped below the gumline, as well as periodontal pockets. If you suspect you might need gum disease treatment, call our office today to schedule an exam and consultation.
You might need a scaling and root planing if gum disease bacteria has accumulated below the gumline or inside periodontal pockets (spaces where gum tissue has detached from the dental root, allowing empty “pockets” to form). Our team will be able to tell for certain whether you need a scaling and root planing during an oral exam, but symptoms can include:
As the name suggests, a scaling and root planing treatment involves two steps.
During scaling, our team will use their special tools and training to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. This is similar to a regular cleaning appointment, but we’ll go the extra mile to make sure your smile is bacteria-free by also targeting the spaces beneath your gumline.
For root planing, our team will “smooth” out your gums to eliminate periodontal pockets. This part of the process essentially allows your gum tissue to “reattach” to your dental root, making it more difficult for bacteria to hide inside of your gums and cause problems.
You’ll receive a local anesthetic during treatment, so we recommend waiting to eat until the numbness wears off. We also suggest taking OTC pain relievers as necessary, since your gums might feel a bit tender. You can brush and floss as normal, but should be extra careful near the treatment area.
If you experience any abnormal symptoms or have discomfort that persists after one week, please contact us so we can provide prompt relief.
Antibiotic therapy often goes hand in hand with scaling and root planing. Even after the procedure, there may still be some harmful bacteria in the mouth. An antibiotic may be prescribed to keep bacteria levels under control and promote the healing of the gum tissue. We may call you back to our dental office after a few weeks to check your gums and make sure that the antibiotic is doing its job and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
When people talk about a deep teeth cleaning procedure, they are referring to scaling and root planing, a two-part process that helps to eradicate harmful bacteria from the mouth. During scaling, we remove plaque and bacteria from both above and below the gumline. During root planing, we smooth out the roots of the teeth so bacteria find it more difficult to cling to them. A deep cleaning may take one or more appointments. After it is complete, the mouth begins to heal from gum disease.
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Weldon Dental of Rome can be found along Martha Berry Blvd NE, near the intersection of N 5th Ave and W 11th Street. We’re only minutes away from the Publix Super Market at Charles High Square, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, and Heritage Park. If you see Divine Salon & Spa or The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, you’re in the right place! We can’t wait to welcome you in soon and help you get started on a brighter, healthier smile.
