Why Root Planing Is an Important Part of Healthy Gums

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a painful and detrimental disease for your overall health if it is not treated properly and in an efficient way. Chronic periodontitis is an extremely common gum disease, which causes swelling in the gums. This chronic inflammation is the result of a buildup of plaque. Early stages of gum disease symptoms include swollen, tender or bleeding gums, and bad breath. In general, the progression of gum disease is slow, however, in the early stages, it can be reversed.

If gum disease is not treated promptly and the plaque will not be removed from below the gum line and the teeth, then this can result in pockets forming between the teeth and gums. This is because the plaque is eating away at your gums, and it causes your gums to recede and detach from the teeth. If it is left untreated, then it can lead to tooth loss. Poor oral hygiene is a major reason that causes chronic periodontitis, and if it is not addressed properly and resolved, then the result of poor oral hygiene can be expensive and debilitating.

Once pockets in the gumline form, they will need to be cleaned out to start the healing process. One of the first steps of healing is to get root planing done at your dentist’s office. Root planing is a very common and well-known treatment for chronic periodontitis. It is the process of deep cleaning the gums in order to remove plaque and bacterial buildup.

Root planing involves smoothing down the surfaces on the teeth under the gum line. The roots of the teeth will be smoothed down to make it harder for plaque, toxins, and tartar to stick to them. This allows the gums to heal and potentially reattach to the teeth.

The gums will not begin to heal until the bacteria is removed, and the roots are clean. If bone loss occurs, root planing will not be able to help them grow back. However, root planing can help make the gums healthier, pinker and firmer, which helps prevent tooth or bone loss from occurring.

Root planing is usually a continuation of regular teeth cleaning that your dental hygienist would do. For anyone who has sensitive gums or teeth, root planing can be done with some freezing to help you feel more comfortable.

After root planing, it is normal for your teeth and gums to feel a bit sensitive and tender for a day or two days. Rinsing out with warm salt water will help soothe the gums. If your pain gets worse or lingers, you should contact your dentist.

If the proper oral hygiene routine is not followed at home, then root planing will not be a long-term solution. Flossing once per day and brushing twice daily are required to have good oral health and maintain your teeth and gums between the in-depth cleaning appointments that you receive at the dentists.

At Dentistry On The Q, our root planing service is a standard operating procedure, depending on each patient’s case. We also have a well established perio program that helps all of our patients receive the best care and services for their dental needs. If you are looking for root planing or another dental procedure, please contact us today! https://dentistryontheq.ca/contact/