Scaling & Root Planing Recovery
A deep clean below the gumline. Here’s what the healing process looks like.
The Full Guide
If a regular cleaning is a car wash, this is more like removing rust from under the fender. It treats tartar and infection that has spread below the gumline, into the "pockets" between tooth and gum, where a regular cleaning can't reach. It's the standard first-line treatment for gum disease.
Left untreated, the bacteria below the gumline keep damaging the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place. Scaling and root planing removes that buildup and smooths the root surface so gum tissue can reattach and bacteria have a harder time sticking in the future, protecting your teeth from the long-term effects of gum disease.
Noticed bleeding gums or been told you have deeper pockets? Book a consultation and we'll take a look.
No special prep needed beyond a normal meal, since you'll be numb afterward.
Local anesthetic numbs the area before we begin, usually one half or one quadrant of your mouth at a time. For upper teeth, numbness is usually limited to the cheek, lip, and gum near the tooth. Lower back teeth typically require a "block" injection, which numbs an entire side of the lower jaw, including the lip, chin, and often the tongue, not just the tooth being worked on.
Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline, along the root surface. Root planing then smooths the root surface itself. Depending on pocket depth, a localized antibiotic (Arestin) may be placed at the same visit.
A full session typically runs one to two hours; depending on how much tartar is present, it's often split into two visits, one for each half of the mouth.
Numbness for a few hours, like a filling. The treated area feels "worked on". Some soreness is expected, similar to a bruise under the gum.
Mild-to-moderate soreness, gum tenderness, and temperature sensitivity. Rinse gently with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in 8oz warm water) starting today, 2–3 times a day. Stick to softer, room-temperature foods.
Soreness continues but should be gradually easing. Continue salt water rinses. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.
Gums should feel noticeably tighter and healthier than before treatment as they reattach to the tooth. We'll likely switch you to periodontal maintenance visits every 3–4 months instead of the standard six, to keep bacteria from recolonizing the treated pockets.
swelling, fever, pus, or pain gets worse after day 3 instead of better. That's not typical healing and could mean infection.
A note on this guide: this is general guidance. Your treating doctor's specific instructions for your individual case always take priority over anything written here. If something feels off or you're unsure, call us. Don't wait it out.
Questions about your recovery?
We're always happy to talk through anything that feels uncertain. Never hesitate to call.