Scaling and Root Planing: Get Gum Disease Under Control with Scaling and Root Planing in Franklin

Dentist taking a panoramic digital X-ray of a patient's teeth

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, affects millions of Americans. It can sometimes be painless and asymptomatic, leaving people completely unaware of its presence. Others may experience sore, bleeding gums, receding gums (resulting in cold/hot sensitivity), and bone loss leading to teeth mobility or even tooth loss.

Gum pockets fill with harmful bacteria that can enter the body and trigger overall health concerns. Studies show links between gum disease and systemic health conditions such as (but not limited to) heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, pancreatic cancer, oral cancer, and increased risk of pre-term or low birth weight babies.

Signs of gum disease include:

Gum swelling and tenderness
Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Bad breath or a persistent foul taste in the mouth
Loose teeth

Fortunately, periodontal disease is easily detected during examination by a dental health professional using x-rays and other diagnostic strategies.

Therapy for gum disease

In our experience, the most effective way to address slight to moderate cases of gum disease is a treatment called scaling and root planing, offered at our office in Franklin. This is a nonsurgical deep cleaning, above and below the gum line. Arestin, a locally administered antibiotic approved by the FDA, is used in conjunction with scaling and root planing. This antibiotic is fast-acting, easily placed, and comfortable. Once Arestin is applied, the antibiotic is released for up to 21 days.

We use an advanced perio testing service (OralDNA Labs) to determine specifically which bacteria are causing your gum infection. With this simple, painless saliva pathology test we are able to determine if an oral antibiotic is also needed. A systemic antibiotic may be prescribed as part of gum therapy because some forms of bacteria are high risk and treatment resistant. The oral antibiotic helps to fully eradicate these strains.

To find out more about the links between periodontal disease and overall health, please visit these websites:

For early detection of gum disease, and effective management therapies such as scaling and root planing, call the dentists trusted by patients throughout the Franklin area – K&E Advanced Dentistry at (855) 912-7677.