February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a…
Who Needs Scaling and Root Planing?
If you have gum disease, we might recommend the scaling and root planing procedure. While the name makes it sound painful, it is a very routine procedure that is simply a deep cleaning of the pockets in your gums. This procedure is necessary to help eliminate gum disease, preventing its spread into other areas of your mouth or the possibility of it worsening over time.
A Thorough Cleaning
You can think of scaling and root planing as a thorough cleaning of all areas of your teeth, even those areas that are beneath the gum line. The process will remove the tartar and calculus that has built up beneath your gums, causing your gums to bleed and even putting the integrity of your teeth at risk. Because plaque likes to stick to areas that are rough, the root planing component of the procedure enables your dentist to smooth the roots, preventing plaque from sticking to it.
A Fight Against Gum Disease
In general, patients that are experiencing the earliest signs of gum disease, such as puffy or bleeding gums are a good candidate for scaling and root planing. Oftentimes, this procedure is enough to clean the area, remove the bacteria and get the gums back to optimal health. In advanced cases, however, scaling and root planing is the first step in restoring optimal health to the mouth. Once the bacteria is removed, surgery is often able to be performed in order to full reconstruct the gums, making them healthy without the risk of spreading bacteria.
Taking your Time
If your gum disease is advanced, the scaling and root planing will likely be performed in stages; typically one quarter of your mouth at a time. This is to ensure your comfort during and after the procedure as you may be sore for a few days following the deep cleaning. If you have the procedure performed during the earliest stages of gum disease, however, the scraping is able to be kept to a minimum and the entire mouth can be worked on at once.
Scaling and root planing is a common procedure with the need for very little preparation or recovery. If this procedure is recommended for you, it is important to have it done. It will allow for the least amount of damage to occur to your mouth as a result of gum disease, allowing you to keep your natural teeth as long as possible.
Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.