Dental scaling is a routinely performed procedure to help patients with gum disease and excessive plaque buildup. If your dentist / periodontist suggests dental scaling and root planing for your teeth, it’s helpful to know what this means so you can prepare for what’s ahead.


When is dental scaling and root planing necessary?


When you eat, tiny particles from the food stick to a film, along with the bacteria create a layer on the teeth known as plaque. Plaque if they aren’t cleaned well, the bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called
pockets. Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing.

If gum disease is caught early and hasn’t damaged the structures below the gum line, scaling should do.

If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, scaling and root planing may be needed. These procedures can help stop the harmful effects of this condition and keep your mouth healthy.