Scale and Root Planing Aftercare

Your oral health care plan following a scale and root planing procedure will vary slightly depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, how extensive the procedure was, and the amount of healing necessary. Let us look at why you might need deeper scaling, what to expect with the procedure itself, and finally, how that determines your aftercare.

Why You Might Need the Scale and Root Planing Procedure?

At any given time, each of us has millions of bacteria in our mouths. If we adhere to the suggestions of the health industry and brush our teeth twice a day and floss once a day, we can keep these bacteria in a healthy range. If you do not brush daily, you allow the bacteria to build up and accumulate on your teeth. This buildup is a clear, sticky substance called plaque. The plaque not only collects bacteria but also sugars and acids. The plaque will immediately attack the hard enamel of the teeth, resulting in cavities. If the plaque is allowed to build up, it will progress down the tooth and go below the gum line. Now the plaque will immediately infect soft tissue, resulting in gum disease. Almost half the population of American adults has some stage of gum disease. The only way to combat the disease and reverse the infection is to eliminate the primary source. The scaling and root planing process does exactly that.

The Scale and Root Planing Process

Many of us have had our teeth professionally cleaned at our dental office. Either with a hand-held tool that scrapes off the plaque and tartar or with an ultrasonic tool that has a vibrating head, the procedure is manual in nature. Your dental team can introduce a local anesthetic if your gums are swollen and tender. This numbs the tissue as the deep scaling begins. The dentist or the hygienist will reach below your gum line to scale away the built-up plaque. If it is necessary to go down the tooth further, the procedure extends into root planing.

The Healing Process During the Aftercare

Initially, discomfort or minor pain will subside in a few days. Immediately after your procedure, you may experience a slight throbbing or aching. This discomfort should subside in about four hours. Depending on the health of your gums, you could have some bleeding for several days, and even your teeth might be sensitive to temperature changes. You might be instructed to introduce a mouth rinse for several days, and it may be beneficial to focus on a softer diet to avoid chewing. Daily brushing still needs to be done, just initially gently. By the third or fourth day, you can resume your normal oral hygiene habits.

The Benefits of Scale and Root Planing

This is the only method to reverse gum disease. Once your procedure is finished and the recovery is completed, you will need to maintain a good oral hygiene plan, including visiting your dental team twice a year for regular evaluations and teeth cleaning. Your teeth, your gums, and especially your smile, will appreciate your efforts.

Related Article: What is Scale and Root Planing?