Do Your Teeth Need a Good Scaling?

Posted on 6/15/2026 by Premier Dental Center

Have you ever noticed a rough feeling on your teeth, especially near your gums? Or maybe your gums bleed easily when you brush? These could be signs that you need a professional cleaning that goes beyond your regular brushing and flossing. Let's explore what that means and why it's so important for your overall oral health.

What is Scaling and Root Planing?

Think of scaling and root planing as a deep cleaning for your teeth and gums. It's a special procedure done by your dentist or dental hygienist to remove plaque and tartar buildup from below the gumline. Plaque is that sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. When plaque isn't removed, it hardens into tartar, also called calculus. Tartar is like cement, and it can't be removed by brushing alone.

Scaling involves carefully removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, both above and below the gumline. Root planing is the smoothing of the tooth roots to remove any rough spots where bacteria can easily cling. This creates a clean, smooth surface that allows your gums to heal and reattach to your teeth properly.

Why is it Necessary?

When plaque and tartar accumulate below the gumline, they irritate and inflame the gums. This inflammation is called gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. If gingivitis isn't treated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that can damage the soft tissues and bone that support your teeth. Eventually, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

Scaling and root planing is a key step in treating and preventing gum disease. By removing the source of irritation and smoothing the root surfaces, this procedure helps to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and prevent further damage to your gums and bone.

The Process Explained

During a scaling and root planing procedure, your dental professional will use specialized instruments to carefully remove plaque and tartar. In some cases, a local anesthetic may be used to numb the area and ensure your comfort. The number of appointments needed will depend on the severity of your gum disease. Sometimes, one or two appointments are sufficient, but more extensive cases may require multiple visits to complete the treatment effectively.

Maintaining Your Oral Health After Scaling and Root Planing

After scaling and root planing, it's crucial to maintain good oral care habits at home. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash as recommended by your dentist. Regular checkups and cleanings are also essential to monitor your gum health and prevent the recurrence of gum disease.

The Bigger Picture of Oral Health

Think of scaling and root planing as one piece of a larger puzzle when it comes to maintaining your oral health. It works in harmony with other areas of dentistry like preventative care and even restoration dentistry. Preventative care focuses on preventing problems from arising in the first place, and restoration dentistry deals with fixing teeth that have been damaged. Keeping your gums healthy through procedures like scaling and root planing makes all aspects of dental treatment more successful in the long run.

Bells
Office

(731) 663-9999

7019 US-412
Bells, TN 38006

Hours:
Mon: 11am - 6pm
Tue: 8am - 5pm
Wed: 9am - 5pm
Thu: 7am - 2pm
Fri: Closed
Sat & Sun: Closed

Jackson
Office

(731) 300-3000

80 Exeter Rd
Jackson, TN 38305

Hours:
Mon: 7am - 7pm
Tue: 7am - 7pm
Wed: 9am - 5pm
Thu: 7am - 2pm
Fri: 8am - 3pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

Milan
Office

(731) 613-2800

15199R S. 1st St.
Milan, TN 38358

Hours:
Mon: 11am - 6pm
Tue: 8am - 5pm
Wed: 9am - 5pm
Thu: 7am - 2pm
Fri: By appt
Sat & Sun: Closed

Lexington Office

(731) 617-9818

689 W Church St, Lexington, TN 38351

Hours:
Mon: 9am - 6pm
Tue: 8am - 5pm
Wed: 9am - 5pm
Thu: 7am - 2pm
Fri: Closed
Sat & Sun: Closed

About | Premier Dental Center - Bells, Jackson, & Milan, TN
Learn more about our dentists, team, and the technology we use at our Bells, Jackson & Milan, TN locations! Call today to schedule with us!
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