Going to the dentist helps keep our teeth and gums healthy. You may think that all dental cleanings are the same, but they are not. A regular dental cleaning and scaling and root planing (SRP) are different treatments. Each one has a different job.
What Is a Regular Cleaning?
A regular cleaning is usually done to help keep healthy teeth and gums clean. The dental hygienist removes plaque, which is a sticky layer of germs that forms on our teeth. The hygienist also removes tartar, which is hardened plaque that cannot be brushed away at home.
A regular cleaning mainly focuses on the areas above the gumline and around the teeth. It helps prevent gum problems and keeps your mouth fresh and healthy.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deeper type of dental treatment. It is usually recommended when a patient has gum disease and there are areas where bacteria and tartar have gotten below the gumline.
Scaling means carefully removing plaque and tartar from the teeth, including areas below the gums.
Root planing means smoothing the surfaces of the tooth roots. Smooth roots make it harder for bacteria and tartar to stick and give the gums a better chance to heal.
Because SRP cleans areas that a regular cleaning does not fully treat, it may take more time and sometimes may be done in more than one visit. A dentist or dental hygienist may also use numbing medicine to help keep the patient comfortable.
Why Is Scaling and Root Planing Important?
Our gums are like a protective blanket around our teeth. When harmful bacteria stay under the gums, the gums can become red, swollen, tender, or bleed. If gum disease gets worse, it can damage the tissues and bone that hold our teeth in place.
SRP helps remove the bacteria and tartar that are causing the problem. It gives the gums a chance to become healthier and helps protect the teeth and the bone around them.
Think of it like cleaning a house. A regular cleaning is like wiping the tables and sweeping the floors. That is important for keeping things clean. But if dirt has gotten into a deep crack that you cannot reach, you need a deeper cleaning to get it out. SRP is that deeper cleaning for areas under the gums.
Why Can’t a Regular Cleaning Replace SRP?
A regular cleaning and SRP are not interchangeable because they are designed for different situations.
If a patient has gum disease with tartar and bacteria below the gums, simply doing a regular cleaning may not remove everything that needs to be removed. SRP is designed to reach those deeper areas and treat the tooth roots.
This does not mean regular cleanings are unimportant. In fact, regular cleanings are very important for keeping healthy gums healthy and for helping prevent gum disease. After a patient has SRP, regular dental visits can also help maintain the improvement.
The Big Difference
The easiest way to remember the difference is:
Regular cleaning: Helps maintain healthy teeth and gums and removes plaque and tartar that can be reached during a routine cleaning.
Scaling and root planing: A deeper treatment used when gum disease has caused plaque and tartar to build up below the gumline.
Both treatments are important, but one cannot always replace the other. Your dentist decides which treatment is right based on the health of your teeth and gums.
Taking care of your mouth every day by brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth, eating healthy foods, and visiting your dentist can help keep your smile strong for years to come.
Pooja Banga DMD-Dental provider at Oral Health Center in Westerville Ohio
