About Scaling and Root Planing

What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Did you know that you can get plaque and the bacteria it causes can become infected and affect the health of your teeth?  Scaling and Root Planing is a deep cleaning below the gumline used to prevent and treat gum disease.  If gum disease is caught early and hasn’t damaged the structures below the gum line, a professional cleaning should do. If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, however, scaling and Root Planing may be needed. According to the American Dental Association, Scaling and Root Planing is beneficial to patients with chronic periodontitis (gum disease that has advanced past gingivitis). Chronic periodontitis affects 47.2% of adults over 30 in the United States.

Who does Scaling and Root Planing work best for?

Since gum disease affects nearly half of all adults over 30 in the United States it is a huge benefit to many people.  Your dental team at Vallejo Family Dentistry will check and make sure you are not at risk for this gum related issue.

What’s involved in Scaling and Root Planing?

This deep cleaning has two parts. Scaling is when your dentist removes all the plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) above and below the gumline, making sure to clean all the way down to the bottom of the pocket. Your dentist will then begin root planing, smoothing out your teeth roots to help your gums reattach to your teeth. Scaling and Root Planing may take more than one visit to complete and may require a local anesthetic.  Your professional at Vallejo Family Dentistry will advise you during your exam.

Are you ready to perfect your smile?

Are you ready to perfect your smile?  Let the team at Vallejo Family Dentistry see if Scaling and Root Planing is right for you.  We are here to help you learn more about your oral health in Vallejo California.

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Questions & Answers

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

How Often Should I Get a Dental Checkup?

Dental health varies from person to person; a general rule for adult patients is to visit a dentist once or twice a year, even if your mouth is in excellent condition. This way, you can get your teeth professionally cleaned regularly and maintain excellent oral health.

What Are the Best Ways to Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home?

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, take your oral hygiene to the next level by following a few steps to good dental health. These include:

  • Using products that contain fluoride
  • Limiting snacks that are high in sugar
  • Eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables
  • Avoiding tobacco in any form

How Can I Improve the Whiteness of My Teeth?

A beautiful smile with clean, white teeth is a huge confidence booster. Most people experience some discoloration of teeth over the years, either from surface stains or internal ones. Treat stains caused by coffee, wine, tobacco, and pigmented foods with at-home whitening or have professional, in-office whitening done regularly. For internal discoloration, consider composite bonding or the application of veneers to the affected teeth, which provides a more permanent solution.

How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay, Gingivitis, and Other Problems?

The best way to ensure a healthy mouth is to follow a balanced diet and regularly visit the dentist while maintaining your oral care routine with twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing. Protect yourself against problems that can advance quickly by discussing these questions with your dental professional.

Why Should I Have Dental X-Rays Taken?

Your dentist should take a full set of dental X-rays early into the doctor-patient relationship. X-rays help your doctor monitor any changes that could be happening in your teeth between appointments. Most adult patients have bitewing X-rays every year and a full mouth series every four to five years. But those with a higher risk for dental caries problems may need them every six to 18 months.

What Is Tooth Sensitivity and Why Do I Have It?

Patients with tooth sensitivity feel pain when they consume foods or drinks that are hot or cold, sweet, or acidic. Sensitivity happens when tooth enamel, which usually protects the tooth’s pulp and dentin, is thinned from repeated exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures. Sensitivity can also occur as a result of:

  • Receding gums
  • Tooth grinding during sleep
  • Chipped or fractured teeth
  • Tooth whitening
  • Orthodontics and fillings

When Should I Consider Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the ideal way to replace missing or weakened teeth. Implants are permanent and serve as an excellent alternative to dentures for anyone with an otherwise healthy mouth and jaw. Most adult patients are good candidates for dental implants because they can help prevent the remaining teeth from moving or loosening.

Should I Use Mouthwash Regularly?

It depends – there are different kinds of mouthwash. Cosmetic mouthwashes aim to freshen breath and to maintain a healthy teeth color, but they contain fluoride to help fight cavities as well. Therapeutic rinses work to help treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation. For more advanced conditions, prescription mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause bleeding, inflammation, and plaque or biofilm formation.

At What Age Should My Child First See a Dentist?

Studies show children can develop their first cavities by two years old, so the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends booking the first visit once their first tooth appears – or, at the latest, their first birthday. This helps your dentist catch potential problems that can affect your child’s overall health and well-being as more teeth grow in overtime.

When Do Baby Teeth Typically Fall Out?

Most children begin losing their baby teeth between the ages of six and eight. They typically fall out in roughly the same order in which they grew. Keep in mind that all patients are different. Children and adult oral conditions depend on how long they’ve gone without an appointment, how long a child’s baby teeth last, and what kinds of things you are naturally more sensitive to.

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