Scaling And Root Planing: Professional Plaque Removal

Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease.

Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal.

Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:

  • You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
  • Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
  • Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.

After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing.

The above article is from: OralB.com
1200 NE 99th St.
Vancouver, WA 98665
(360) 356-7096
SheronDental.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strep Throat and Tonsils: What's the Connection?

Image
If your throat is sore and your tonsils feel swollen, it can be hard to know if you have strep throat or if it's something else. The good news is that your doctor can help your figure out if you're experiencing strep throat. Read on to find out what causes strep throat, its symptoms, and the connection between strep throat and tonsils. What Is Strep Throat? Strep throat is a bacterial infection that makes your throat feel sore and scratchy. It accounts for just a small percentage of sore throats. According to the Mayo Clinic , the specific bacteria that causes strep throat is group A Streptococcus (group A strep). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that the same bacteria can cause scarlet fever and rheumatic fever, especially if untreated. So how can you get strep throat? Group A strep bacteria are highly contagious and can spread through airborne droplets if someone with the infection coughs or sneezes near you or through sharing food or drinks with som...
Read more

Cavity Fillings: What to Expect, Types & Potential Problems

Image
The process of filling cavities is a fairly simple and straightforward one that can be done right at your dentist's office. Filling Cavities: What to Expect You should expect to be at your dentist's office for around an hour. This gives him or her enough time to take x-rays if needed, talk to you about the procedure and complete the dental work. Before filling cavities, your dentist will numb your teeth, gums and surrounding skin to avoid and lessen discomfort during the procedure. Next, he or she will drill out the decay in the tooth and replace it with a filling. This process only takes a few minutes. Once you're done, your mouth will probably remain numb for a few more hours. There aren’t any significant risks associated with filling cavities, but be sure to keep your dentist’s contact information on hand in case you have any questions or complications. The most common use of tooth fillings is to fill a cavity in the tooth. But tooth fillings also can be used to repair d...
Read more

Fluoridation

Image
Adding fluoride to public water supplies is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay and has played a major role in in improving the public’s dental health for more than 70 years. "Fluoride’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay extends throughout one’s life, resulting in fewer—and less severe̵—cavities," says former Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. Read on to learn more about what the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has proclaimed as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. What Is Community Water Fluoridation?     Fluoridation of community water supplies is simply the adjustment of the existing, naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water to an optimal level for the prevention of tooth decay. Think of it this way: Water that has been fortified with fluoride is similar to fortifying milk with Vitamin D, table salt with iodine, and bread and cereals with folic acid.  The number of communities who make th...
Read more