Scaling and Root Planing in Fuquay Varina

Periodontal disease, left untreated, can wreak havoc on your mouth’s dental health. It’s an infection that occurs when gingivitis is left untreated which affects the gums and surrounding bone. Plaque created by food particles left over from eating forms and irritates the gums, turning into gingivitis, which eventually turns into the more serious periodontal disease or periodontitis. It eats away at the structure supporting teeth and leads to loose teeth or teeth falling out. If periodontitis is suspected, your dentist may recommend that you get a scaling and root planning procedure to combat the spread of the infection.

Hamby Family Dental Center is pleased to be able to offer superior scaling and root planing procedures to our patients conveniently at our offices in Fuquay Varina.

What are Scaling and Root Planing?

Periodontitis creates pockets within your gum and bone that can become breeding grounds for more and more infection. In order to combat this, your teeth and gums will need a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planning. The procedure will scrape away built-up plaque and tartar along your gum line and below your gum line, straightening the root surfaces so that they can reattach to the gums and close the pockets that have formed.

What Should I Expect at My Scaling and Root Planing Appointment?

Your procedure will likely be spread over four visits in order to properly clean each quadrant of your mouth. Your dentist will use anesthesia to numb that area so that you don’t experience any pain while they use a scraping tool, lasers, or an ultrasound machine to break up and remove the buildup. While you’ll only feel pressure during the appointment, your gums may ache or feel sore after the anesthetic wears off.

What After Care Should I Do After My Procedure?

After each procedure, you can use ibuprofen and ice to manage any pain or swelling that you feel. Your gums should be treated carefully for a few days after the procedure, so you shouldn’t drink any very hot or cold liquid or eat any crunchy food for several days. You may experience some bleeding when you brush but this should stop after a couple of days. If you experience excessive bleeding, continued irritation, or a hard bump forms on your gums, schedule an emergency dental appointment.

Your dentist will have you schedule a follow-up appointment to x-ray your gums again to ensure that the periodontitis hasn’t continued to spread and that the pockets are closing up. From then on, the best offense for gum disease is a good defense: regular brushing and flossing combined with a healthy diet, plenty of water, and regular appointments with your dentist.

Contact Hamby Family Dental Center for Your Scaling and Root Planing Procedure

If you’re looking for expert periodontitis treatment in the Fuquay Varina area, Hamby Family Dental Center can offer the best treatments for your and your family. Our friendly and experienced staff is here to help you go through the procedure safely and comfortably and to make sure that your gums are properly and thoroughly cleaned. Contact us today by calling (919) 522-2431, filling out our contact form, or scheduling an appointment.