For many patients, routine dental cleanings keep their teeth and gums healthy, strong, and beautiful. However, other patients may need a deeper clean than ordinary dental cleanings can deliver. Luckily, periodontics (like scaling and root planing) allow patients to get the health-saving deep clean that they need.
At Dental Care of Lombard, Dr. Julie Glud and her caring team provide periodontal treatments for patients suffering from advanced gum disease. If you need help treating or managing gum disease, then don’t wait–schedule a periodontal appointment now. New and existing patients can request an appointment by sending or team a message or by calling our Lombard, IL, dental office at (630) 629-5700.
If you’ve never heard of periodontal treatments, then stick around. In this blog, Dr. Glud and her team explain what scaling and root planing is and how often you should get it done.
Gum Disease Explained
Did you know that almost half of all adults (aged 30 and over) have some form of gum disease (also called periodontal disease)? And because periodontal disease often presents or worsens with age, the majority of people over the age of 65 have the condition.
You might be thinking: Is gum disease really a big deal? And, the answer is: Yes. Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss, and research suggests that gum disease places patients at a higher risk of systemic health issues, such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Respiratory diseases
- Kidney dysfunction
- Neurological and cognitive impairment
- Cancer
- Metabolic syndrome and obesity
Periodontal disease is no joke, which is why Dr. Glud recommends regular dental cleanings at least every six months as a preventive measure. However, even with the best preventive care, it is still possible to develop gum disease. And once that happens, the best recourse is periodontal treatments, such as scaling and root planing.
What is scaling and root planing?
Bacteria and food debris create a sticky build up on the teeth (called plaque). Without proper brushing and flossing, the plaque hardens and creates an immune response in the gum tissue, resulting in painful and inflamed gums.
Removing hardened plaque on teeth is challenging, but it must be done to restore your oral health. Luckily, ultrasonic dental tools can bust up the hardened plaque for easy removal. This is what dental professionals refer to as ‘teeth scaling’.
But, teeth scaling is only half of the battle–root planing is the other half. Root planing smooths the surface of teeth below the gumline. As a result, it is much more difficult for bacteria and food debris to adhere to teeth, which prevents the formation of plaque.
How often should I get scaling and root planing done?
It depends. Every mouth is different and requires distinctive care. Some patients may require scaling and root planing once or twice a year. Other patients may need it every three to four months.
Regardless, an in-depth appointment with Dr. Glud will help us determine how often you should seek scaling and root planing for a healthy smile.
Schedule a Dental Checkup Now
Not sure if you could benefit from scaling and root planing? No problem! Simply schedule an appointment at Dental Care of Lombard to find out.
New and existing patients can call our Lombard dental office at (630) 629-5700 or they may send us a message online here.
