Scaling and Root Planing

Plaque and tartar left on the teeth provides the right conditions for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria irritate the gums, which means that they bleed more easily. You may notice this if you are brushing your teeth or eating. This is the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis. This is the time to clean your teeth by scaling and polishing them.

To stop gum disease from progressing, we may advise periodontal therapy, or deep cleaning. This gets rid of the bacteria in the pocket and provides the necessary conditions for healing to occur.

Scaling

Scaling is basically the process of removing dental tartar from the surfaces of the teeth.

Root Planing

Root planing is the process of smoothing the root surfaces and removing any infected tooth structure. If you have gum disease or gum pocketing, the gum pockets around the teeth will have deepened, thereby allowing tartar deposits to form under the gumline.