Scaling and Root Planing – Baltimore, MD

Treat Gum Disease with a Deep Cleaning

Besides tooth decay, gum disease can be equally devastating to your smile. Although it’s preventable, at least 50% of adults have the infection, making it the leading cause of tooth loss. Your periodontist in Baltimore can stop gum disease from destroying your smile with scaling and root planing. Also known as a deep cleaning, the two procedures are an effective solution to treat the infection before it causes irreversible damage to your smile.

Woman at periodontist in Baltimore

Why Choose Baltimore Dental Arts for Scaling and Root Planing?

Trained periodontist in-office
Advanced treatments and technology
Personalized plans for each patient

What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Image of patient needing scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing consist of two procedures that are designed to treat irritated, inflamed, and infected gum tissue. As the earliest signs of gum disease, called gingivitis, quick detection and treatment can stop the infection from worsening to restore a healthy smile. Depending on the severity of the infection, we may combine the deep cleaning with other treatments. We’ll perform a thorough examination to measure the depths of the gingival pockets and the amount of tartar present to create a customized treatment plan.

How Does Scaling and Root Planing Work?

Patient with advanced gum disease

Scaling and root planing are non-surgical procedures used to remove plaque and tartar to rehabilitate your gums. You’ll be scheduled for your deep cleaning after your initial consultation. We will begin with scaling, which involves using a special dental instrument to eliminate tartar buildup above and below the gum line. After your teeth are cleaned, another dental instrument is used for the root planing portion of the treatment. Your root surfaces will be smoothed to discourage future accumulations while also allowing your gum tissue to reattach to your teeth to seal out harmful bacteria.

What are the Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing?

Woman with healthy smile after deep cleaning

Untreated gum disease doesn’t just damage your smile. It can also affect your general health, increasing your risk of several conditions, like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and respiratory infections. Scaling and root planing are safe effective solutions that offer a variety of advantages, including:

Reduces the risk of reinfection.
Prevents the infection from entering the bloodstream to safeguard your overall health.
Lowers the risk of tooth loss.
Improves the appearance of your smile.

Aftercare Tips

It’s normal for your gums to be a bit tender and inflamed following your deep cleaning. To ease your discomfort and to ensure there aren’t any complications during the healing process, it’s best to follow a few aftercare tips:

Avoid chewing or eating until any anesthesia has worn off.
Consume a soft diet for 48 hours.
Don’t smoke or drink alcohol for at least 72 hours.
After 48 hours you can use a mouthrinse.
Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to reduce pain and swelling.
Take any prescribed medications as advised.
Gently brush and floss your teeth.
Maintain any follow-up appointments.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you have gum disease, don’t wait until it’s too late. We can save your smile with scaling and root planing. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.