How To Effectively Treat Receding Gums

Tooth Scaling And Root Planing

Tooth scaling is a type of dental cleaning that helps patients who have receding gums and other forms of gum disease. Standard dental cleanings help with the tooth's surface. But a scaling gives patients a much deeper clean, as it moves below the natural gumline to help remove plaque built up around the gums. Scaling and root planing are often called deep cleaning. Patients won't typically receive this type of clean at a normal checkup. Dental scaling is usually recommended when individuals have dental pockets of four millimeters or greater. These pockets occur in gum disease and cause the teeth to separate from the gum line. In addition to loosening teeth, the pockets can fill with plaque. The bacteria in the plaque causes an infection that leads to serious tissue damage. Scaling is necessary to remove the plaque patients can't get with a normal toothbrush. Two methods are typically used to scale teeth. The first is to use handheld tools to manually scrape out the plaque. The second is to use an ultrasonic tool that gives off vibrations that chip away plaque while the pocket is flushed with water.