Professional Cleaning & Gum Disease Treatment
Expert Periodontal Therapy That Protects Your Smile From the Inside Out
Did you know that periodontal disease, not cavities, is the most common dental problem in the world? As your Rochester dentist, the team at Gentling Dental Care is committed to giving every smile the gum-focused care it deserves. Whether you need a routine professional cleaning or deeper periodontal therapy, our Rochester, MN team makes sure that when you leave our office, more than just your teeth will be in great shape.
What Is Gum Disease and Why Should You Care?
When plaque and bacteria build up on your teeth, you get a cavity. When that happens to your gums, you get gum disease. Bacteria literally begins breaking down your gum tissue and the bone beneath it, which is seriously damaging to your overall oral health. Symptoms include redness, swelling, oral bleeding, gum recession, bad breath, and loose teeth. Without treatment, they only get worse.
Beyond your mouth, research has linked gum disease to heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. That connection makes it worth treating promptly, and our Rochester dentist team is fully equipped to help.
Routine Cleaning vs. Scaling and Root Planing: What Is the Difference?
Knowing what to expect at your appointment takes the guesswork out of your visit. Here is a quick breakdown:
Treatment | When It Is Used | What It Does for You |
Routine Professional Cleaning | Healthy gums or early gingivitis | Removes surface plaque and tartar, polishes teeth |
Scaling and Root Planing | Moderate to advanced gum disease | Deep-cleans below the gumline, smooths root surfaces |
Periodontal Maintenance | After deep cleaning treatment | Prevents reinfection with more frequent monitoring |
Scaling and Root Planing: A Closer Look at the Process
Once gum disease progresses beyond gingivitis, bacteria travel deep beneath the gumline and cause pockets to form between your teeth and gums. That is when scaling and root planing becomes necessary to stop the infection and protect your health.
This two-part deep cleaning procedure works like this. First, your dentist at our Rochester office numbs your gums so you stay completely comfortable throughout. Then, scaling begins: an ultrasonic cleaner breaks up and removes hardened plaque and tartar from around and below the gumline, eliminating the source of infection no matter how deep the pockets go.
Next comes root planing, where your dentist gently smooths the tooth root surfaces. This encourages the gums to reattach to the tooth and makes it much harder for bacteria to accumulate going forward, protecting you from reinfection.
Some mild soreness once the numbness wears off is normal and easy to manage with an over-the-counter pain reliever and a cold compress.
5 Reasons Rochester Patients Choose Gentling Dental Care for Gum Treatment
- Gum screenings at every checkup so problems are caught early, before they have a chance to progress
- An expert hygiene team trained in the latest periodontal techniques with a focus on patient comfort
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to the severity and stage of your individual gum disease
- Clear at-home guidance so you know exactly how to care for your gums between visits
- Ongoing periodontal maintenance to prevent reinfection and support your long-term oral health
Comfort, Credentials, and Whole-Family Care
Our friendly staff is highly trained in periodontal care and will help you better manage your gum health at home with practical tips you can actually use. We also care for your family at every stage of life, making it easy to keep every household member on track with their gum health. As a periodontal patient, you will see us more frequently than a standard schedule, because consistent monitoring is what keeps gum disease from returning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept dental insurance for periodontal treatment?
Yes. Our team is happy to verify your benefits and walk you through your coverage before treatment begins. Just give our Rochester office a call and we will take care of the details.
How long does scaling and root planing take?
Treatment time depends on the extent of the infection, but most patients complete the process in one or two appointments. Your dentist will outline a clear timeline at your initial visit.
Is the procedure painful?
No. Your gums are fully numbed before treatment begins, and most patients are surprised by how comfortable the experience is. Any mild soreness afterward fades quickly and is easy to manage at home.
Ready to Take Back Control of Your Gum Health?
You deserve a Rochester dentist who takes your gum health as seriously as you do. At Gentling Dental Care, every visit is built around your comfort, your questions, and your long-term smile. Call our office or book your appointment online today. Our team is happy to verify your insurance, answer your questions, and get you on the path to healthier gums.
Meet Your Award-Winning Doctors
A Qualified Team of Dentists Dedicated to Your Smile
At Gentling Dental Care, we strongly believe that five heads are better than one – that’s why our dental office features a team of knowledgeable doctors who all bring unique strengths and skills to the table! At the same time, they share a similar passion for trustworthy, family-friendly dentistry that always adheres to very high clinical standards. To put it simply, they never perform care that they wouldn’t recommend to their very own loved ones.
Dr. Ryan Henrichsen
Dr. Phil Pattee
Dr. Melissa McColloch
Dr. Erich Eichwald
Dr. Scott Gruwell
See What Makes Us Different
Our Friendly Dental Team Treats Everyone Like Family
1-on-1, Thorough Consultation
Customized Treatment Plan
Every Dental Need Covered
Committed to Continuous Improvement
Our Location
Phone
Address
Working Hours
Monday
8AM - 5PM
Tuesday
7:30AM - 5PM
Wednesday
7:30AM - 5PM
Thursday
7AM - 5PM
Friday
8AM - 12PM
