DEEP CLEANING
Scaling & Root Planing
The non-surgical treatment for early gum disease, a thorough deep cleaning that removes plaque and calculus below the gumline and helps your gums heal naturally.
The non-surgical treatment for early gum disease, a thorough deep cleaning that removes plaque and calculus below the gumline and helps your gums heal naturally.
Scaling and root planing, commonly called a deep cleaning, is the non-surgical treatment for gum disease. When periodontal disease is caught early, it is often the most effective intervention we can offer.
Scaling is the thorough removal of plaque and calculus from the outer surface of the teeth. Root planing goes a step further, smoothing the root surfaces so bacteria have less to hold onto and the gums can heal and reattach.
Once the plaque and calculus are removed, gum pockets have the opportunity to shrink and reattach around the teeth. That is what stops the progression from inflammation to bone loss and eventual tooth loss.
Professional cleaning at this level does more than freshen your mouth, it can measurably improve your overall health.
Removing plaque and bacteria at and below the gumline reduces inflammation and dramatically lowers the chance of gum disease worsening into bone loss.
Plaque destroys enamel and drives decay. A thorough cleaning is one of the most direct ways to reduce cavity risk in the teeth we are treating.
Persistent bad breath is often driven by bacteria in periodontal pockets. Deep cleaning clears the source and often resolves the symptom.
Research shows that bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and increase risk of heart attack and stroke. Treating the source protects more than just your mouth.
Gum disease and diabetes influence each other. Treating periodontal inflammation can make glucose control easier to maintain for patients living with diabetes.
Smoothing the root surfaces gives your gums the chance to reattach and pockets to shrink, the foundation for long-term stability.
Gum disease is progressive. It usually begins as gingivitis, sensitive, puffy, easily bleeding gums driven by plaque, and is reversible at that stage with professional cleaning and better home care. Left alone, it advances to periodontitis, where pockets deepen, bone lowers, teeth loosen, and loss becomes a real possibility.
A scaling and root planing visit is planned around the extent of the disease we are treating.
We measure pocket depths, assess inflammation, and use imaging to confirm the stage of your disease and the sites that need treatment.
The areas being treated are numbed with local anesthetic so the deep cleaning is comfortable throughout.
Plaque and calculus are removed thoroughly from the tooth surfaces above and below the gumline.
The root surfaces are then smoothed so bacteria have less to hold onto and the gums have a clean surface to heal against.
A follow-up visit confirms how well the gums have responded. From there, we set the right maintenance interval, often three to four months, to keep bacterial levels manageable.
Brush twice daily for at least two minutes, and pay attention to technique, our team is happy to coach you on what actually protects your gums. Floss every day, thoroughly, so you reach the surfaces a brush cannot.
Be mindful of diet. Avoid excess sugar and starch; if you enjoy sugary drinks, a straw and a water rinse afterward help minimize exposure.
Schedule regular exams. Complementing your home care with professional visits, typically every six months for healthy patients and more often after active periodontal treatment, is what keeps small issues from becoming big ones.
We are honored you have chosen us for your periodontal care. At Coastal Periodontics, we believe every patient is unique, not just in dental needs but in values, past experiences, and treatment goals. Our team listens first, then designs a collaborative treatment plan around what matters to you. We pride ourselves on providing a calm, welcoming environment where every detail is handled with compassion. Our approach is grounded in a simple ideology: it is not about a procedure, it is about a long-term relationship. We stay active in continued education and in the community we serve.
Next Step
Send us the details and our team will follow up to schedule your evaluation.