Scaling and Root Planning are difficult processes for most people. They are unnatural activities that don’t often come up in day-to-day life. Most of us have probably never done these things before, unless you have an occupation which requires it as part of your job. Even for those who do work in a profession that involves these activities on a regular basis, it is usually a once-a-year event or something that only comes up when they are working with new clients and trying to establish new clientele.
Scaling and root planing pain are both processes that involve cutting into the roots of teeth and removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from beneath the gums. These tasks can be especially challenging if you have sensitive gums or nerves, making them more painful than usual. The following article will go into detail about how you can ease the pain of scaling and root planning to make them easier to handle so they feel less like a chore and more like something you enjoy doing because you know it’s good for you!
What is the Difference Between Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing pain are both ways to remove bacteria, plaque, and debris from the teeth and gums. While Scaling is usually done on the teeth’s surface, where the gums meet the teeth. Root Planing is done underneath the gums to clean out the roots of the teeth where the roots meet the gums.
What to Expect During Scaling and Root Planning
Scaling and Root Planning are sometimes done at the same appointment, depending on the condition of your teeth. During these appointments, your dentist or hygienist will start by numbing a specific area of your mouth with a topical anesthetic to make the process less painful. If your dentist or hygienist needs to use a scaler, they will use the anesthetic to numb the area they are working on while they are scaling your teeth.
If they need to use a curette to clean out the roots Scaling and root planing pain, they will use the anesthetic to numb the roots of your teeth. When the scaling is done and your gums have been numbed, your dentist or hygienist will scrape the tartar off your teeth with a dental scaler and curette. Depending on the kind of condition of your teeth, you may be prescribed a fluoride treatment after the appointment.
Take an Analgesic 30 Minutes Before Your Appointment
An analgesic is a medication that can ease pain. Taking an analgesic 30 minutes before your appointment can help reduce the Scaling and root planing pain.
Make sure to tell your dentist or hygienist that you take medication and what dosage you take. They will be able to prescribe you the dosage you need to take before your appointment.
Ask for a Fluoride Treatment or an Anesthesia
If the scaling and root planning are especially painful, you can ask your dentist or hygienist to use a fluoride treatment or apply a local anesthesia so you don’t feel the pain.
Anesthesia is best used for gum disease or if you have a very inflamed gum tissue. It is applied to the roots of the teeth where the dentist will be working. A fluoride treatment is used for gum disease and milder cases of scaling. It is applied over the surface of the teeth.
Bottom Line
Scaling and Root Planning can be difficult and scaling and root planing pain is bad for most people, especially those who have sensitive gums. The easiest way to make the experience easier is to take an analgesic 30 minutes before the appointment, or asking your dentist or hygienist for a fluoride treatment or anesthesia.
References:
1-Pain After Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing
Publishing Date: 2 January 2015
https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.1999.0303
2-Virtual Reality Distraction for Pain Control During Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing Procedures
Publishing Date: 29 December 2014
https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2009.0102
