Periodontal Therapy – Moses Lake, WA

Have Swollen or Bleeding Gums? Call Us Today

Gum disease is a more common oral health issue than many people realize. According to the CDC, nearly 50 percent of Americans over the age of 30 have periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. Early on, the condition often causes mild symptoms like redness, swelling, and bleeding; however, if your gum disease reaches the periodontitis stage, you’ll be at risk of losing your teeth, and you might be more likely to develop heart problems.

The best way to prevent gum disease from turning into a severe oral health issue is to get in touch with our office to schedule a periodontal consultation with Dr. Harder. Once he has had a chance to examine your mouth, he can develop a treatment plan that will keep your gum disease under control and protect your smile from further damage.

Woman pulling up lip to show signs of gum disease in Moses Lake, WA

Why Choose Moses Lake Family Dentistry for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?

State-of-the-Art Soft Tissue Laser Therapy
Dentist with Over 20 Years of Experience
Nitrous Oxide for Patients with Dental Anxiety

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing as part of gum disease treatment in Moses Lake, WA

The earliest stage of gum disease can sometimes be reversed with good oral hygiene and a traditional dental cleaning. That said, these steps alone are not always enough to treat the infection. In many cases, we may need to perform a deep cleaning procedure, which is divided into two major steps: scaling and root planing.

Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?

Woman experiencing discomfort while brushing her teeth

You might need scaling and root planing if you have mild to moderate gum disease. Some signs that this treatment may be required include:

Swollen, puffy gums
Red gums
Gum recession
Persistent bad breath
Gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
Visible plaque buildup along the gumline

Dr. Harder will thoroughly examine your mouth before determining whether you need scaling and root planing or if another treatment would be the best way to get your oral health back on track.

The Process of Scaling & Root Planing

Illustration of dental instrument scaling teeth

Scaling and root planing may take one or more appointments. It consists of two main parts:

Scaling is the process of removing harmful plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. We will specifically focus on the area around and below your gumline, and we will take the time to clean all the way down to the bottom of any pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums.
After scaling comes root planing, which involves smoothing out the roots of the teeth. Bacteria have a harder time accumulating on smooth surfaces, so this simple step can go a long way toward preventing further infection and allowing the gums to reattach to the teeth.

Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing

Smiling woman brushing her teeth in front of mirror

It can take a few weeks to fully recover from scaling and root planing. Some sensitivity and discomfort are normal. To make your healing process as easy as possible, you should:

Regularly rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce swelling and fight bacteria.
Be very gentle when brushing and flossing — make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles!
Avoid hot, spicy, and highly acidic foods. Alcohol should also be avoided.
Eat a soft diet for at least 48 hours after your appointment.
Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
Do not engage in vigorous physical activity for at least a few days.

Soft Tissue Laser Dentistry

Soft tissue laser for gum disease treatment in Moses Lake, WA

We know that some patients are nervous about having any kind of dental work done, and we want to do whatever it takes to keep you as comfortable as possible. To that end, instead of using metal tools to treat your gum disease, we offer soft tissue laser therapy.

This modern approach to periodontal care involves using a special laser to remove any infected or damaged gum tissue. The laser also kills the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease in the first place.

There are many advantages to using a soft tissue laser for periodontal therapy. For one thing, the laser is so gentle that we may not even need to numb your mouth for the procedure. Additionally, soft tissue lasers can immediately seal any exposed blood vessels; this means there’s less bleeding at the end of the procedure, and the recovery process won’t take as long.