Aftercare following your scale and root planing procedure will vary based on how extensive the procedure was and the current condition of your teeth and gums, leading to the amount of healing necessary. First you need to understand the procedure, why it is necessary, the necessity for deeper scaling, and then finally the refreshing aftercare.
Why might you need the Scale and Root Planing Procedure?
Day in a day out, each of us have millions of bacteria in our mouth. There are no exceptions. If we adhere to the suggestions of the dental health industry and brush our teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day we can maintain a healthy range of bacteria. If you neglect this simply habit, you allow the bacteria to immediately build up on your teeth. This buildup is a clear, sticky substance called plaque. The plaque is full of bacteria as well as damaging sugars and acids. The plaque will waste no time in attacking the enamel surface of the teeth which results in cavities. If you allow the plaque to continue to build up, it will travel down the tooth and go below the surface of the gum tissue. The plaque immediately infects the soft tissue resulting in gum disease. Almost half the population of
American adults today have some stage of gum disease. The absolute only way to combat, stymie, and reverse the gum disease is to eliminate the source. The common and frequent procedure of scaling and root planing process does just that.
The Scale and Root Planing Process
Hopefully, you have had your teeth professionally cleaned in your dental office. Your dentist or hygienist uses either a hand help scaler that scrapes off the nasty plaque and tartar or with an ultrasonic device that has a vibrating head, the procedure is manual. They may suggest a local anesthetic if your gums are swollen and tender to control your discomfort. This will numb the tissue to accommodate the deep scaling. The dentist or the hygienist will then reach down the tooth, below the gum line, to remove the built-up plaque. If they find it necessary to go further down the tooth the scaling procedure is extended into root planing.
The Healing Process during the Aftercare
Your initial discomfort will subside in a couple of days. Immediately following the procedure, you may experience a slight throbbing or an aching. This discomfort will only last a few hours. Depending on the condition of your gums you might experience some minor bleeding for a few days and your teeth may seem to be sensitive to temperature variations. You might be instructed to introduce an antibiotic rinse for several days and it may be suggested to focus on a softer diet to avoid extensive chewing. Your brushing still needs to be done daily, just gently initially. By the third or fourth day of healing you can resume your normal healthy oral hygiene techniques.
The Benefits of Scale and Root Planing
This is the only way to treat gum disease. Once your procedure is finished and your recovery is completed you will want to exercise a good oral hygiene preventive plan, which includes visiting your dentist twice a year for regular evaluations and consistent teeth cleaning. Your healthy teeth, your healthy gums and especially your healthy smile will appreciate your attention.