Scaling & Root Planing

Here at Smiles Family Dental, we make sure that every patient can get a personalized treatment plan that brings out their healthiest and brightest smiles. One of the greatest ways to preserve a smile and protect your oral health is a deep cleaning, where our talented dentists, Dr. Angelie Zamora and Dr. Rebecca Kim, and dental team will use a blend of specialized techniques and tools to remove harmful plaque, no matter where it is hiding. Call 972-444-9337 to schedule an appointment for scaling and root planing in Irving, Texas.

How Do I Know If I Need a Deep Cleaning?

For proper oral health and a firm bite, your teeth need to fit tightly in your gums. If there is too much plaque buildup, or if you suffer from chronic periodontitis, your risk of gum disease progressing into real dental damage like tooth loss or infection is high. Warning signs of either of these conditions include:

  • Excessive Bleeding: If your gums bleed while brushing your teeth or there is excessive blood while flossing, it is most likely due to inflammation. This can indicate early stages of periodontitis.
  • Discoloration of the Gums: One of the earliest warning signs of gum disease is discoloration. Healthy gums are a warm, even pink color. If there is redness or darkened spots on your gums, this can be a sign of infection or compromised dental roots.
  • Halitosis: Halitosis is persistent bad breath that brushing or mouthwash cannot resolve, due to dental cavities or bacteria buildup beneath the gumline. Resolving halitosis can improve your health and your social life!
  • Receding Gums: Receding gums increase your risk of tooth decay and loosened teeth, which can eventually lead to tooth loss or deterioration of jawbone integrity. It is vital to your oral health that your gums stay close to your teeth.

With such great health risks caused by progressing gum disease and infection, it is important to be proactive in your own oral care. If you noticed that one or more of the aforementioned conditions apply to you, contact Smiles Family Dental for a consultation in restorative dentistry.

The Details of a Deep Cleaning

Smiles Family Dental wants every patient to know that every treatment they get is both the most appropriate and accurate. That is why the beginning of a deep cleaning is the consultation, where we can identify any potential dental problems and determine whether scaling and root planing is necessary.

If signs of periodontal disease are detected, a two-step procedure is performed to save your gums and teeth.

Step 1: Scaling

This first step begins when a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area of the mouth where the procedure will take place. From there, we will use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from above and below your gumline.

When plaque is allowed to develop untreated, it can create pockets of plaque and bacteria along your gumline. Fortunately, scaling can remove all the debris collected in these pockets. Getting rid of this harmful buildup in the periodontal pockets is essential for the healing process.

Step 2: Root Planing

This is the more involved step in the deep cleaning procedure, as it involves removing small amounts of the tooth’s harder tissue (dentin and cementum). This is a preventive measure to keep bacteria, biofilm and calculus from re-accumulating in the future.

Once this process is complete, the soft tissue of your mouth should be healthy enough for your gumline and roots of your teeth to reconnect. This reconnection resolves issues such as loose teeth, the threat of tooth loss and bite issues related to periodontal disease.

After Care

With the completion of the scaling and root planing, your periodontal pockets should be free of harmful bacteria and buildup. However, it is important to note that a restorative dental procedure can lead to increased sensitivity in the gums. Thankfully, our professionals at Smiles Family Dental are not only talented but also compassionate.

Our dental team can answer any questions involving gum sensitivity. We will also offer specialized instructions on how to care for your teeth and gumline to maximize the healing process. If necessary, we might also prescribe a mouth rinse to reduce bacteria in your mouth, making sure your periodontal pockets are kept as safe as possible.

Feel the Deep Clean Difference, and Schedule a Consultation Today

There is no need to worry about chronic gum disease, halitosis or the risk of tooth loss when the professionals at Smiles Family Dental are just a call or click away! The deep cleaning treatment we offer will help return your gums to their healthiest state and provide you with the ideal oral care to maintain a fantastic smile. Schedule your consultation today and discover the deep clean difference.