704 NE Evans Street, McMinnville, OR 97128
New Patients Call (503) 472-1403
Existing Patients Call (503) 472-1402
After you brush your teeth, do you usually see pink in the sink? Minor bleeding might mean that you are cleaning your teeth too aggressively, or you may have a very common infection called gum disease. This bleeding is often the result of inflammation, and other notable symptoms include sensitivity, redness, and swelling. While these can be relatively minor, over time, gum disease can lead to much more serious consequences like gum recession, loose teeth, chronic bad breath, and ultimately, tooth loss. At Evans Street Dental, we can help you take care of the problem early and get your oral health back on track using effective, non-invasive periodontal therapy in McMinnville, OR. To schedule an appointment and learn more, give us a call today.
Whenever you visit our team for your biannual checkups, you’ll typically expect us to also clean your teeth thoroughly and around your gums to ensure that you have a fresh and healthier smile. However, if you’re having difficulties with your gum line, or you’re showing signs of periodontal disease, our team might focus more on your gums and tooth roots through a procedure called scaling and root planing. This treatment is designed to get rid of any plaque and tartar buildup around your gums as well as smoothening out the rough surfaces of your roots to reduce the chance of bacteria accumulating in the future.
In many cases, gum disease can be reversible as long as you practice proper oral hygiene. For some people, making certain changes to their brushing and flossing routine may be sufficient to regain oral health. If the issue persists or gets worse, however, then scaling and root planing might be the next best step. Some indications that you’ll need to undergo this treatment include:
Gum disease is primarily caused by bacteria-filled plaque and tartar that has been allowed to build up on the teeth below the gum line. Scaling is a special type of cleaning that enables us to remove these harmful substances from above and below the gum line by using an ultrasonic scaler, which will stop the progression of the infection.
Then, root planing involves us gently reshaping and smoothing out the tooth roots. Why do this? This creates fewer places for plaque and tartar to accumulate in the future, lowering the risk of reinfection and stimulating the healing process. Our team will provide you with a local anesthetic before moving forward with the procedure, that way you can be comfortable and pain-free during your appointments.
Scaling and root planing are typically completed after a couple of visits. After you’ve finished your treatment, your gums should recover within a few weeks. It’s also normal to experience some mild discomfort, sensitivity, or tenderness from these procedures. To minimize your symptoms, remember to: