It is with proper brushing and flossing that swollen gums, one warning sign of gum disease can be effectively prevented. A good program of oral hygiene will help keep bacterial plaque from building up which is the chief culprit to cause dental problems particularly gum disease. When plaque calcifies into tartar or calculus, dentist recommends scaling, the procedure that can remove tartar from teeth, and above and below the gum line as well. When the dentist sees that your gum condition is severe, he may recommend the dental patient to go through root planning procedure. Root planning helps to smooth irregularities on the roots of the teeth making it more difficult for plaque to deposit there. Gum disease can be treated at an early stage by scheduling a regular check ups. Do not wait for gum disease to lead to a more serious condition.