Gingivitis is a disease that can cause significant tooth and gum deterioration. A buildup of plaque and tartar allows bacteria to grow on the surfaces of the teeth. The bacteria will cause your gums to become inflamed and bleed. If left untreated, the condition will progress and worsen.

Treatment for gingivitis is simple and performed right at your dental office. Scaling and planing can be performed with or without anesthesia. While the procedure is usually painless, advanced stages of gingivitis may make it necessary to numb the area for comfort. Scaling is the removal of the dental tartar from the tooth surfaces, and root planing is smoothening the root surfaces and removing the infected tooth structure.