Your gums help hold your teeth in place and protect the areas around the tooth roots. When bacteria and plaque stay around the gumline for a long time, the gums can become swollen and irritated.
Early gum disease can often be managed with better brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. When gum disease becomes more serious, a deeper cleaning may be needed to remove buildup below the gumline.
This treatment is known as scaling and root planing. It cleans the teeth and roots more deeply than a normal dental cleaning.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a type of deep dental cleaning used to treat gum disease.
Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the teeth, including areas below the gumline. Root planing smooths the root surfaces so bacteria have fewer rough areas where they can stay.
The treatment is usually recommended when gum pockets have become deeper or when there is a buildup that cannot be removed with regular cleaning.
You can learn more about this treatment at Fountainville Family Dentistry .
Sign 1: Your Gums Bleed When You Brush
Bleeding gums are one of the common signs of gum problems.
You may notice blood when brushing, flossing, or eating harder foods. Some people ignore it because there is no pain.
Healthy gums generally should not bleed during normal brushing and flossing.
If bleeding happens regularly, it is worth having your gums checked. It does not always mean you need a deep cleaning, but it can show that your gums are inflamed.
Sign 2: Your Gums Look Red or Swollen
Healthy gums usually look firm and fit closely around the teeth.
When gums become red, swollen, or tender, it can be a sign of inflammation. This may happen because plaque and bacteria have collected around the gumline.
If the swelling continues even after improving your brushing routine, you should speak with a dentist.
The dentist can check whether the problem is limited to the gumline or has moved deeper around the teeth.
Sign 3: You Have Persistent Bad Breath
Bad breath can happen for many reasons.
Food, dry mouth, certain drinks, and poor oral hygiene can all contribute to it. Gum disease can also cause ongoing bad breath because bacteria can collect around and below the gums.
If the smell continues even after brushing, flossing, and cleaning your tongue, it may be worth having your gums checked.
Treating the cause is more useful than simply trying to cover the smell with mouthwash.
Sign 4: Your Gums Are Pulling Away From Your Teeth
Gums that are pulling away from the teeth can be a sign of gum disease.
This can create spaces called gum pockets between the gums and teeth. These pockets can become difficult to clean with a regular toothbrush.
As the pockets become deeper, bacteria and tartar can collect in them.
A dentist can measure the depth of these pockets during an examination and decide what type of treatment is needed.
Sign 5: Your Teeth Feel Loose
Adult teeth should not normally feel loose.
If you notice that a tooth moves when you touch it with your tongue or when you bite, you should arrange a dental examination.
Advanced gum disease can damage the tissues and bone that support the teeth. This can eventually make teeth feel loose or change the way your teeth come together when you bite.
Loose teeth should not be ignored because early treatment may help prevent further damage.
Sign 6: You Have Gum Recession
Gum recession happens when the gum tissue moves away from the tooth.
This can make the teeth look longer because more of the tooth is visible. It can also expose the tooth root and cause sensitivity to cold foods and drinks.
There are different causes of gum recession, so it does not always mean that you need deep cleaning.
A dentist can examine the gums and find out what may be causing the change.
Sign 7: Regular Cleanings Are Not Enough
Regular dental cleanings are important for keeping plaque and tartar under control.
But a normal cleaning may not be enough when tartar has built up below the gumline or when gum pockets have become deeper.
Your dentist may recommend a deeper cleaning if there are signs of periodontal disease.
The treatment is designed to clean areas that are difficult to reach with normal brushing and routine cleaning.
What Happens During the Treatment?
The exact process can be different for each patient.
The mouth may be divided into sections so the dentist can focus on specific areas. Local anesthesia may be used if the gums are sensitive or if deeper areas need to be cleaned.
The teeth and roots are then cleaned to remove plaque and tartar.
After the treatment, the gums can begin to heal and may become firmer around the teeth.
Concerned about your gums? Talk with your dentist about whether a deeper cleaning may be appropriate.
Book a ConsultationFinal Thoughts
Your gums can give you signs when something is not right.
Bleeding, swelling, bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, and deep gum pockets should all be taken seriously.
Scaling and root planing may be recommended when gum disease has progressed and normal cleaning is not enough to remove buildup below the gumline.
The earlier gum problems are checked, the easier it can be to manage them.
Good brushing, daily cleaning between your teeth, and regular dental visits also remain important after treatment.
If you have noticed changes in your gums, speak with your dentist and find out what is causing them before the problem becomes more difficult to manage.
If you have noticed changes in your gums, speak with your dentist and find out what is causing them before the problem becomes more difficult to manage.