Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleanings)
What is Scaling and Root Planing?
Step-by-Step Deep Cleaning Appointment:
- Anesthesia: We will numb your gums with a local anesthetic so you stay comfortable during the deep cleaning.
Scaling: The dentist or hygienist uses special instruments (ultrasonic scalers and hand tools) to carefully remove plaque and hardened tartar from above and below your gum line. You may feel pressure or vibration, but the numbing ensures you shouldn’t feel pain.
Root Planing: After scaling, the root surfaces of your teeth are smoothed to remove any remaining toxins and bacteria. Smoother roots help your gums reattach to the teeth more firmly.
Antibacterial Treatment: In some cases, we may apply an antibacterial gel or prescribe a mouth rinse to kill remaining germs and promote healing.
Multiple Visits if Needed: If you have many areas to treat, we might do this over 2–4 appointments (often one quadrant or half of the mouth at a time). This ensures thorough cleaning and a better recovery for each area. After each session, your mouth will be rinsed and we’ll review home care instructions.
Benefits of Deep Cleanings
- Halts Gum Disease Progression: Deep cleaning removes the cause of gum infection (bacteria and tartar), stopping periodontitis from advancing to more severe stages. This can prevent the need for more invasive treatments.
- Reduces Inflammation & Bleeding: Most patients notice their gums become less red, swollen, and prone to bleeding after scaling and root planing, as the gums can finally heal.
- Prevents Tooth Loss: Treating gum disease early helps save teeth. By cleaning infected pockets, we prevent further bone destruction, lowering the risk of teeth becoming loose or needing extraction.
- Fresher Breath: Removing bacteria-packed tartar and infected tissue can eliminate chronic bad breath caused by gum disease.
- Improves Overall Health: Healthier gums may benefit your overall health, since untreated gum disease has been linked to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Maintaining gum health through deep cleanings contributes to better general well-being.
Risks or Side Effects of Deep Cleanings
- Soreness and Sensitivity: Your gums will likely be tender for a day or two, and your teeth might feel sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. This sensitivity is usually temporary and will diminish as your gums heal and tighten around your teeth. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help.
- Gum Recession: As inflammation subsides and your gums heal, they may shrink slightly. You might notice your teeth look a bit longer or small gaps appearing between teeth (black triangles) where swollen gums used to be. This happens because swollen gum tissue reduces, revealing the true gum line; it can expose some root surface and may increase sensitivity.
- Bleeding or Swelling: It’s normal to have some gum bleeding during and after the procedure. Your gums might also be a bit swollen. These symptoms should resolve over several days as you follow the home care instructions.
- Infection or Gum Abscess: In rare cases, if debris remains or post-care isn’t followed, an infection could persist or a gum abscess (a localized infection) could form. Keeping the area clean as instructed will greatly minimize this risk. Contact us if you experience worsening pain or swelling.
- Incomplete Healing: Every individual responds differently. In some instances, deep pockets may not fully tighten up. If the disease does not stabilize (for example, if deep pockets remain ≥5mm with bleeding), further treatment by a specialist (periodontist) or even surgery/extractions might be indicated. We will monitor your healing in follow-up visits.
Deep Cleaning Post-Procedure Care
Oral Hygiene: Resume gentle brushing and flossing by the evening of the procedure or next day, as advised. Keeping your teeth and gums clean is essential for healing. Use a soft toothbrush and be gentle around tender gum areas. We may recommend an antimicrobial rinse (like chlorhexidine) – use it exactly as directed if prescribed.
Diet: For the first 24–48 hours, stick to a softer diet if your gums are sore. Good options include soups, yogurt, smoothies, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, etc. Avoid foods that are sharp, crunchy, or spicy until discomfort subsides. Also avoid very hot foods or drinks for the first day, as your teeth may be sensitive.
Discomfort Management: It’s normal to have some discomfort. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as needed and as directed on the bottle. Rinsing gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) 2–3 times a day can soothe your gums. Minor swelling can be managed with a cold compress on the outside of your face for 10-minute intervals on the day of treatment.
Activity: You can return to normal activities immediately, but you might want to relax the rest of the day if you feel sore. Listen to your body – resting can help you recover faster.
Oral Habits: Do not smoke or use tobacco for at least a few days after the procedure (longer is better). Tobacco impairs healing and can aggravate gum tissue. Also avoid alcohol for 24 hours if we prescribed chlorhexidine rinse (alcohol can lessen its effectiveness and irritate tissues).
Follow-Up: We will schedule you for a follow-up exam or periodontal maintenance visit (typically in 4–6 weeks) to check healing. It’s important to come to that visit so we can measure your gum pockets and ensure the infection is under control. Afterward, we will likely put you on a more frequent cleaning schedule (such as every 3–4 months for periodontal maintenance) to prevent relapse.
Deep Cleaning Recovery Time
- Initial healing of the gums takes a few days. You may experience tenderness or mild gum discomfort for 1–3 days (occasionally up to a week for extensive cases). Cold sensitivity of teeth can last about a week or two but improves as gums heal. After roughly 4–6 weeks, your gums will have significantly healed and we will evaluate the success of the therapy. Most patients can then return to regular routines, with ongoing home care and maintenance cleanings to keep gum disease at bay. Everyone heals at a slightly different pace – if you have any concerns during recovery, please contact us for advice.