Our best defense against bacteria is first and foremost diligent oral hygiene. Second–routine dental cleanings. During a dental cleaning, the periodontal dentist or hygienist scrapes away the tartar that has collected at the gum line, so the bacteria don’t have such a chokehold on your gums. A dental deep cleaning is a slightly more invasive kind of cleaning meant to reverse the early stages of gum disease or manage the more advanced stages.
A dental deep cleaning is also called Scaling and Root Planing (SRP). During SRP, a dentist uses a scaler (usually an ultrasonic spray of water) and root planer (a hook-shaped scraper) to clear tartar that has collected below the gum line and smooth the surface of the roots. Clearing tartar from the roots helps gums to re-adhere to the teeth, closing periodontal pockets.
As dental deep cleanings can be more invasive, we use local anesthetic to reduce any pain or discomfort you might feel during the procedure. Some patients may elect for sedation, though dental deep cleanings shouldn’t be painful. After treatment, you may experience soreness and swelling for up to a week.
Antibiotic Medication to Treat Infection
Sometimes, SRP can be combined with antibiotic treatment to rid the mouth of infection. One study, published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that combining antibiotics with SRP was more effective than SRP alone. For people with aggressive periodontitis, antibiotics greatly improved reattachment of the gums to the teeth.
The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, can be reversed with treatments like scaling and root planing. Unfortunately, the later stages of gum disease cannot be reversed; however, patients can experience significant improvement in their symptoms. With regular cleanings, we can prevent mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis from progressing.
The Benefits of SRP Therapy for Tooth and Gum Health
While SRP cannot completely reverse advanced gum disease, patients who undergo SRP will experience several other important benefits, including:
Continuing with SRP therapy can also prevent tooth loss and other painful complications of gum disease, such as abscesses.
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