Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. It is a deep-cleaning of the teeth which is usually done under a local anesthetic. Plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the tooth root are made smooth (planing). Smoothing the rough spots removes bacteria and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth.
Learn more about gum treatment at Raffles Dental.