Has your dentist told you that they need to perform a procedure called scaling and planing to help treat your issue with gum disease? If so, you likely have several questions about this procedure before your appointment to have it done. 

Why Is Scaling And Planing Necessary? 

The process of performing a deep cleaning along your gum line is referred to as scaling and planing in the dental world. It is a necessary procedure due to how gum disease forms within your mouth. Your gum disease problem was caused by bacteria getting into the gums after forming on your teeth. The bacteria reached the point where normal brushing and flossing is not going to get rid of it, so a more involved procedure is necessary to clean your teeth and your gums.

Keep in mind that scaling and planing is a procedure that can be done when your dentist catches early signs of gum disease. The procedure is used to prevent the problem from getting worse and turning into a more serious condition known as periodontal disease.

What Happens During Scaling And Planing?

The process of scaling and planing can be time-consuming and tedious, so your dentist may have you come back over several visits to have the procedure done. It will also require anesthesia due to the level of work needed to clean under your gum line and help the gums to become healthy once again.

Your dentist will need to scrape away all of the tartar and bacteria that formed in the pockets of your gums. They'll use a tool called a dental scaler, which involves manually removing all of the tartar that can be reached. The scaling process can leave the teeth rough with pockets that tartar and biofilm can form once again, so the planing process is necessary to fix it. This involves smoothing out the parts of the tooth under the gums.

What Happens After Scaling And Planing?

Your gums will feel very sensitive after a scaling and planing procedure, but it is normal and will go away after a couple of days. You may even experience bleeding from the gums while they are healing. However, it is all in order to improve the health of your gums. After you recover from the procedure, know that the pockets of the gums will be free of all the plaque that was inside them, and you will have taken a big step in preventing gum disease from forming. 

To learn more, contact a resource like Thornley Dental.