Your gums are an important part of your oral health. At Oasis Family Dental we provide gum care treatments, including scaling and root planing, to help you keep your gums healthy and combat periodontal disease. Contact us at 956-661-1000 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Damien Garcia and Dr. Lisa Gortari and to learn more about gum care in McAllen, Texas.
With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life. The healthier your teeth and gums, the less risk you have for tooth decay and gum disease.
How Should I Care for My Teeth and Gums?
There are five basic steps to caring for teeth and gums:
- Brushing
- Flossing
- Eating right
- Visiting the dentist
- Rinsing
Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. Root planing and scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. Your periodontist may need to use a local anesthetic to numb your gums and the roots of your teeth.
Some periodontists and dentists will use an ultrasonic tool for planing and scaling. This tool is not as uncomfortable as a standard scraping tool, but not all cleanings require this type of tool.
Your dentist may place antibiotic fibers into the pockets between your teeth and gums. The antibiotic will help speed healing and prevent infection. The periodontist will remove the fibers about 1 week after the procedure.
Why It Is Done
Root planing and scaling is done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have hard mineral deposits (calculus) on them.
For more information about gum care, and to schedule your consultation with our experienced periodontist, please contact our office today.