Life happens, and sometimes it’s easy to put oral health on the back burner. You know, brushing for 20 seconds instead of 2 minutes, skipping dentist appointments, and trading in flossing for one more episode of the show we’re binging. This can eventually lead to these dreaded words: “You need scaling and root planing.”
(Gulp). It sounds pretty technical, and let’s be honest, a teensy bit scary! So what exactly is this dental procedure, when do you need scaling and root planing, and what can you do to make sure you get the best results from it? Keep reading and we’ll reveal all!
What Exactly Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is sometimes referred to as a deep cleaning. A routine cleaning removes plaque, tartar and stains ABOVE the gum line, while scaling cleans UNDER the gums, getting way down to the bottom of the pockets. Pockets are gaps between the teeth and the gums.
After scaling, root planing is then performed, which smooths out the teeth roots to enable your gums to reattach to your teeth. It’s typical to experience some bleeding, sensitivity and gum tenderness for a few days post-procedure, but a topical oral gel can help.
When Is Scaling and Root Planing Necessary?
- Chronic Periodontal Disease: Gingivitis that goes unchecked can advance into periodontal disease, where the gums pull away from the teeth. That’s how deep pockets are formed. You know those numbers the hygienist calls out during your exams? Those are your pocket depths. Pocket depths of 4 or greater indicate periodontal disease. In addition to poor oral habits, smoking, dry mouth and diabetes can raise the risk of periodontal disease.
- Halitosis: No amount of brushing will get rid of chronic bad breath if you have smelly bacteria living below the gum line. Scaling and root planing removes this otherwise impossible-to-reach bacteria so you (and everyone else!) will notice an immediate difference in your breath.
- Receding Gums: Teeth grinding, too-harsh brushing and gingivitis can all lead to receding gums. Scaling and root planing is one of the first treatments your dentist will likely recommend to remove plaque and tartar where a toothbrush can’t reach and lessen your chance of developing periodontal disease.
New Scaling and Root Planing Study: What Every Periodontal Patient Should Know
If you’ve been told you need a scaling and root planing procedure, you’ll definitely want to check out the results of a new independent 30-day study that looked at the clinical outcomes of periodontitis patients using Oxyfresh’s fast-acting Pro Relief Dental Gel as an addition to scaling and root planing. Oxyfresh did not sponsor the study or supply the product.
In this published clinical study, 36 periodontitis patients – who all started with pocket depths of 4 or greater – were randomly divided into 3 groups.
Metrics measured:
Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) – distance from the gingival margin to the pocket base.
Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI) – a fancy way of saying “gum bleeding”
- Group 1: Treated with Scaling & Root Planing + Oxyfresh Pro Relief Dental Gel in a tray (2x daily for 10 minutes, starting on day 10)
- Group 2: Treated with Scaling & Root Planing + Oxyfresh Pro Relief Dental Gel applied without a tray
- Group 3: Treated with Scaling & Root Planing procedure only
And these were the incredible results after 30 days:
- Group 1: 50.9% reduction in PPD; 88.2% reduction in PBI
- Group 2: 47.9% reduction in PPD; 68.9% reduction in PBI
- Group 3: 27.8% reduction in PPD; 51.1% reduction in PBI
As you can see, Oxyfresh’s powerful Pro Relief Dental Gel – applied with a tray or without – nearly doubled the reduction in periodontal pocket depth versus just the procedure alone and significantly reduced gingival bleeding.
Pro Relief Dental Gel: A Proven Must-Have Oral Gel for Periodontal Disease
The results of the study speak volumes about the incredible benefits of Oxyfresh Pro Relief Dental Gel. Unlike any other dental gel on the market, its key ingredients are proven to work as an antibacterial and bad-breath neutralizer, plus it features a blissful blend of Aloe vera, folic acid, natural mint oil and chamomile to help soothe sore gums, provide essential moisture and get you smiling again!
It’s a must-have pairing for scaling and root planing treatments for periodontal disease, so if you have a procedure on the books, make sure you’re ready with this powerful dental gel.
P.S. Want to get more in-the-know about gum disease and some SIMPLE WAYS you can improve your smile? Check out this awesome read: Gum Disease: Separating Fact from Fiction.
