Scaling, or deep cleaning, is the initial treatment for periodontal disease (gum or bone infection). Dr. Sandhu offers gentle scaling, which involves using special instruments to get underneath the gum and flush out any developing bacteria.

Depending on the state of your gums, scaling is roughly a two-hour procedure. It can be broken into two visits, or done in one sitting, depending on your availability. Dr. Sandhu will numb you with local anesthetic, which keeps things painless for the duration of the procedure. Afterward, you might experience mild soreness for a day or so, but the majority of patients don’t experience much discomfort.

Scaling is a safe and effective preventative step to avoid more serious infection, which can require more invasive surgical treatments. Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, or who have not been able to make it to the dentist routinely, are at a higher risk for periodontal disease, and often benefit from scaling. Following the procedure, good home care and regular trips to the dentist can eradicate infection or keep it from getting worse.

As with the majority of medical conditions, catching periodontal disease early is of the utmost importance. If the infection is given time to grow and fester, it can lead to more complex conditions that might require surgery, or even to bone reduction and the loss of teeth. Regular appointments with Dr. Sandhu will help you catch and treat gum infection before it becomes something more serious.