When gum disease begins to take hold, a regular cleaning is no longer enough to stop it, and that is where scaling and root planing comes in. Often called a deep cleaning, this is the gold-standard, non-surgical treatment for gum disease, and it is one of the most effective ways to halt the infection, save your teeth, and restore your gums to health. At Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale, CA, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan perform gentle, thorough scaling and root planing that removes harmful plaque and tartar from below the gumline and gives your gums the chance to heal. If your gums are inflamed, bleeding, or pulling away from your teeth, this treatment can make a profound difference.
Understanding what scaling and root planing involves, why it is necessary, and what to expect afterward can ease any apprehension and help you take an important step toward protecting your smile and your overall health.
What Is Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that targets the areas beneath the gumline that a standard cleaning cannot reach. It has two parts. Scaling is the careful removal of plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth surfaces above and, importantly, below the gumline. Root planing is the smoothing of the tooth roots, which removes rough spots and bacterial deposits where germs gather. Smoothing the roots makes it harder for plaque to reaccumulate and, just as importantly, allows the gums to reattach to the teeth and heal.
This treatment is recommended when gum disease has progressed beyond simple gingivitis. As the gums become inflamed, they begin to separate from the teeth, forming pockets that trap bacteria, plaque, and tartar. These pockets are impossible to clean with a toothbrush or even a routine cleaning, so the infection continues to deepen. Scaling and root planing reaches into these pockets, removes the source of the infection, and helps the gums tighten back around the teeth, stopping the disease from advancing toward tooth loss.
Who Needs Scaling and Root Planing?
We typically recommend this deep cleaning for patients who show signs of moderate gum disease. You may be a candidate if you have noticed any of the following:
- Gums that are red, swollen, or bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Gums that have started to recede or pull away from your teeth
- Persistent bad breath or a lingering bad taste in your mouth
- Deeper pockets measured between your teeth and gums during an exam
- Visible tartar buildup at or below the gumline
- Teeth that feel slightly loose or sensitive along the gumline
During your exam, we measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth and review X-rays if needed to assess the bone. This tells us whether scaling and root planing is the right treatment and which areas of your mouth need attention. We always recommend the most conservative effective treatment and explain exactly why it is needed.
Why Are My Gums Receding?
Gum recession is frequently a sign of periodontal disease, though it can also result from aggressive brushing or genetics. As bacteria and tartar accumulate below the gumline, they cause inflammation that breaks down the tissue and bone, allowing the gums to recede. Scaling and root planing addresses the underlying cause by removing the bacterial deposits so the gums can heal and recession can be slowed or stopped.
Should I Worry If My Gums Bleed When I Floss?
Bleeding gums are one of the earliest and most common signs of gum disease and should not be ignored. Healthy gums do not routinely bleed. While occasional minor bleeding can result from flossing after a long gap, persistent bleeding indicates inflammation that needs attention. Catching it early may allow treatment with improved home care and a regular cleaning; if it has progressed, scaling and root planing may be needed to reverse it.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
The length of scaling and root planing depends on the extent of the gum disease and how much tartar has accumulated. For many patients, the treatment is divided into two or more visits, often treating one side or one half of the mouth at a time. This approach lets us be thorough and keeps each appointment comfortable, since only part of your mouth is numbed at once, leaving the rest available for normal eating. We will let you know how many visits your situation is likely to require.
Will the Dentist Use Anesthesia?
Yes. To keep you comfortable, we use local anesthesia to numb the areas being treated. Because scaling and root planing works below the gumline, numbing the area ensures you feel little to nothing during the procedure. Many patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the experience is. If you tend to feel anxious about dental work, let us know, and we will take extra steps to help you relax.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
During the procedure, we carefully clean below the gumline using specialized instruments, sometimes including ultrasonic tools that gently break up tartar, then smooth the tooth roots. The area is numbed, so the process is comfortable. In some cases, we may apply an antibacterial agent to the pockets to further reduce bacteria and support healing.
Afterward, it is normal to experience some mild tenderness, slight swelling, or temporary sensitivity in the treated areas for a few days as your gums begin to heal. Your gums may feel a little sore, and your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold for a short time. These effects are usually mild and fade quickly. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a warm saltwater rinse can help, and we will give you specific aftercare instructions tailored to your treatment.
Can I Eat Normally After the Procedure?
You can return to eating soon after your appointment, though we usually suggest sticking to softer foods at first while your gums are tender, and avoiding very hot, very cold, or hard and crunchy foods for a day or two. Once any sensitivity subsides, you can resume your normal diet. We will give you clear guidance on what to eat and what to avoid during the short healing period.
Are There Any Warning Signs to Watch For?
Mild tenderness and sensitivity are expected, but you should contact our office if you experience increasing pain, significant swelling, bleeding that does not stop, or signs of infection in the days after treatment. These are uncommon, but we want you to feel supported throughout your recovery, so never hesitate to call us with any concerns.
What Are the Risks of the Procedure?
Scaling and root planing is a safe, well-established, and routine treatment, and serious complications are rare. The most common after-effects are temporary tenderness and sensitivity. There is a small risk of minor infection, which is why following your aftercare instructions and maintaining good hygiene afterward is important. For the vast majority of patients, the benefits of stopping gum disease and saving teeth far outweigh these minor, short-lived effects.
What Happens to My Gums After They Heal?
As your gums heal, the inflammation subsides, and the tissue becomes firmer and healthier. The gums begin to reattach to the smoothed tooth roots, and the periodontal pockets become shallower, making your mouth easier to keep clean. Bleeding and bad breath typically improve, and the progression of gum disease is halted. With good ongoing care, your gums can stay healthy and continue to support your teeth for years to come.
Will I Need Follow-Up Procedures?
Many patients need some form of follow-up to keep gum disease under control. After scaling and root planing, we will reevaluate your gums to see how well they have healed and whether the pockets have shrunk. Because gum disease is a chronic condition, we often recommend periodontal maintenance cleanings more frequently than the standard six months, typically every three to four months, to keep bacteria from rebuilding. Staying on this maintenance schedule is the key to protecting the results of your deep cleaning and keeping your teeth for life.
Gentle Gum Care in Glendale, CA
Gum disease is widespread, and many people do not realize they have it until it is advanced. Our Glendale practice is dedicated to catching and treating it early with gentle, effective care. We make scaling and root planing as comfortable as possible and partner with you on the home care and maintenance that keep your gums healthy long term. Protecting your gums also protects your overall health, since periodontal inflammation has been linked to broader health concerns.
How to Protect Your Results After Treatment
Scaling and root planing gives your gums a fresh start, but keeping them healthy depends on the care you provide at home and the maintenance schedule you follow afterward. The bacteria that caused the problem will try to return, so consistent daily habits are essential to protect the progress you have made. A strong home routine combined with regular professional maintenance is the key to lasting gum health:
- Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, angling toward the gumline
- Floss once a day to remove plaque from between teeth and below the gumline
- Use an antibacterial mouth rinse if we recommend one for your situation
- Avoid tobacco, which dramatically slows gum healing and worsens gum disease
- Eat a balanced diet and limit sugary, starchy foods that feed bacteria
- Keep all of your periodontal maintenance appointments without skipping
Patients who follow these habits give themselves the best chance of keeping gum disease under control and avoiding the tooth loss it can cause.
The Connection Between Gum Health and Whole-Body Health
Treating gum disease does more than protect your teeth. A growing body of research links chronic periodontal inflammation to broader health concerns, including cardiovascular disease and difficulty managing diabetes. The bacteria and inflammation associated with gum disease do not necessarily stay confined to the mouth, which is why keeping your gums healthy is part of caring for your overall well-being. By addressing gum disease with scaling and root planing and staying on top of maintenance, you are investing in more than a healthy smile; you are supporting your whole-body health.
Is Scaling and Root Planing Painful?
This is one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer is reassuring. Because we use local anesthesia to numb the areas being treated, you should feel little to nothing during the procedure itself. Afterward, mild tenderness and short-lived sensitivity are normal as your gums begin to heal, but these are usually easy to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers and a warm saltwater rinse. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the experience is, and they feel better knowing they have stopped an active disease from progressing. If you tend to feel anxious about dental treatment, let us know, and we will take extra steps to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness
Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are a USC-trained husband-and-wife team known for gentle, thorough, and compassionate periodontal care. Our practice holds a 4.9-star rating across more than 300 reviews, and we are a mercury-free office that welcomes patients of all ages and offers same-day emergency appointments. We accept all PPO dental insurance plans, which often cover periodontal deep cleanings, and our team is happy to help you verify your coverage. Please note we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal.
Get Your Questions Answered Today
If your gums are bleeding, swollen, or receding, do not wait for the problem to worsen. Scaling and root planing can stop gum disease in its tracks and preserve your teeth and your health. Call Infinite Dental Wellness today at (818) 541-1110 to schedule an evaluation and find out whether a deep cleaning is right for you. Healthy gums and a healthy smile start with a single phone call.