Periodontal Treatment & Gum Care
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
Enquire About Deep CleaningDeep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a non-surgical periodontal treatment for suitable patients with gum disease, periodontal pockets, and plaque or hardened tartar below the gum line. At BestSmile Dental Clinic in Bayan Lepas, Penang, treatment is planned according to your individual gum and periodontal condition.
What Deep Cleaning Helps With
Plaque and tartar can accumulate below the gum line in areas that cannot be effectively cleaned through normal brushing and interdental cleaning. When periodontal disease is present, these areas may require treatment beyond routine scaling and polishing.
Scaling and root planing focuses on the periodontal areas identified during assessment rather than automatically treating every part of the mouth in the same way.
When You May Need a Gum Assessment
Signs that may indicate your gums require professional assessment include:
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Gums that bleed easily
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Persistent gum inflammation
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Red or swollen gums
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Plaque or tartar around the gum line
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Periodontal pockets
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Ongoing gum problems despite regular oral hygiene
These signs do not automatically mean you need deep cleaning. Your gum and periodontal condition should first be assessed to determine the appropriate treatment.
How We Assess Your Gums Before Treatment
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Gum assessment
We examine your gums and identify areas showing signs of periodontal problems.
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Periodontal assessment
Where required, periodontal pockets and affected areas are evaluated to understand the extent of gum involvement.
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Plaque and tartar evaluation
We identify deposits above and below the gum line that may require professional treatment.
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Treatment planning
The findings help determine which areas require treatment and whether scaling and root planing is appropriate.
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Follow-up planning
Further assessment may be recommended to monitor how your gums respond after treatment.
What Happens During Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling
Scaling involves professionally removing plaque, hardened tartar and bacterial deposits from affected tooth surfaces, including areas below the gum line.
Root planing
Root planing focuses on carefully cleaning and smoothing affected tooth root surfaces. Depending on the extent and severity of the periodontal condition, treatment may involve selected areas of the mouth or require more than one appointment.
Deep Cleaning vs Routine Teeth Cleaning
Routine scaling and polishing primarily forms part of preventive dental care and removes plaque, tartar and surface deposits. It does not routinely include root planing.
Deep cleaning is periodontal treatment for suitable patients with gum disease. It targets affected areas above and below the gum line and includes treatment of affected root surfaces. The appropriate option depends on your periodontal assessment rather than symptoms alone.
Periodontal Follow-Up and Specialist Support
After scaling and root planing, your gums may be reassessed to evaluate how they have responded. Oral hygiene guidance may also be provided for areas that are particularly difficult to clean at home.
Some patients may require ongoing periodontal maintenance after active treatment. BestSmile Dental Clinic also provides access to periodontal specialist support where further assessment or additional periodontal management is appropriate.
Have Your Gum Health Assessed
If you have bleeding, swollen or persistently inflamed gums, we can assess your periodontal condition and determine whether routine cleaning, scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance or another approach may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Bleeding gums can be a reason to have your periodontal health assessed, but whether scaling and root planing is appropriate depends on the underlying condition and clinical findings.
Yes. Depending on the extent and severity of your periodontal condition, treatment may focus on specific areas of the mouth and may require more than one appointment.
No. Scaling and root planing is an active periodontal treatment. Periodontal maintenance generally provides ongoing professional monitoring and care after active gum disease treatment.
