Is Scale and Root Planing Painful?

It is a little-known fact that our mouths, consisting of our teeth, gums and all soft tissue, are as unique to each of us as our fingerprints. With that as a baseline, the discomfort during and after a scale and root planning procedure can be quite diverse as well. The components that will impact the discomfort is your own threshold of pain, the extent of plaque build up to be removed, and the number of visits it might take to successfully accomplish the task. Let’s step through the initial reason on why you would need this procedure, the process itself, and the recovery time and benefits in doing so.

Damaging Plaque and Periodontal Disease

The one thing each of us do have in common is the number of bacteria in our mouths. Each and every day we have millions which is necessary in the process of extracting necessary nutrients for our body. The problem begins if you do not keep the amount of bacteria in check. If you do not brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once you allow these bacteria to sit on the teeth forming a sticky substance called plaque. The bacteria will immediately create an acid which will attack the enamel of the teeth resulting in decay and cavities. If allowed to continue to develop it will drift down the tooth and go below the gumline. Now the damaging bacteria attacks the soft tissue of the gums resulting in an immediate infection. This gum disease will progress through increasing levels of periodontal disease.

The Scale and Root Planing Procedure

The only  way to combat gum disease is to remove the source of the infection, the plaque. All of us have had our teeth professionally cleaned a time or two at a dental office. Scaling and root planning is taking this same process of removing the plaque now below the surface. A handheld scaler is used to manually scrape the plaque from the enamel. Since your gums are already inflamed and sensitive a local anesthetic is necessary to perform this task. Scaling the tooth or going proceeding deeper down the root, it is focused on removing the damaging plaque.

The Healing Process

The discomfort during the procedure is controlled by the numbing agent. The several days after the procedure the discomfort can easily be controlled by an over the counter pain medication. The level of pain is really just a tenderness and soreness. This will subside quickly as the infection leaves the soft tissue.

The Benefits of having a Scale and Root Planing Procedure

It has been documented that almost half of American adults have encountered some form of periodontal disease. If left unattended the gums will continue to swell, bleed, sag away from the teeth and result in tooth loss. Healthy gums are significant in having healthy teeth and of course a healthy smile. You are in control of this outcome by simply establishing the good oral hygiene habit of brushing and flossing as the health industry strongly suggests. Stay ahead of the plaque and make you future dental appointments more rewarding.

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