One thing that dentists often do when teeth have a buildup of plaque is a process called scaling and root planing. This is when your dentist takes special tools and cleans your teeth on a deeper level than they can with a traditional cleaning.

These tools go down below your gum line and clean the area around the root of your tooth. While this sometimes is a bit uncomfortable for some patients, the results they get allow their mouth to feel far cleaner than any other type of cleaning.

Signs You Need a Good Scaling and Root Planning

When you are showing either possible signs, or definite signs of gum disease, your dentist will often suggest this procedure. This includes gums that are red and swollen, either all of them, or just around a few teeth. It can also include gums that bleed when you brush. Receding gums are another sign that your gums are suffering and need a bit of help. If your gums are showing off the root of your tooth, it is definitely time to get scaling and root planing done.

People who suffer from consistent bad breath, or even a bad taste in their mouth that they can't get to go away, typically also benefit from this being done. At the severe end of gum disease, you may have pus and blood surrounding the gap between your teeth and your gums, or your teeth may have started to come loose. These are definite signs that you have gum disease, and scaling and root planing is the first step towards treating it.

For more information, contact our office. If your mouth needs a bit of a deeper cleaning, they will let you know. It is often one of the best feelings of clean your dentist can provide!