PROFFESIONAL DEEP TEETH CLEANING IN MOBILE, AL
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Ideally, if you visit the dentist every six months for a regular cleaning and checkup, your gums should stay healthy. With that said, improper at-home care, gaps between visits, and other issues can lead to plaque and tartar buildup not only at, but also below the gum line. If this goes untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease. This, in turn, can cause receding gums, bone loss, and even the loss of teeth. If you have plaque and tartar developing below your gum line, your dentist may determine that a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) procedure is necessary to safeguard your oral health.
Periodontal disease (also known as “gum disease”) occurs when a gum “pocket” is formed around the tooth that is filled with bacteria and tartar buildup. This can lead to:
- bleeding gums
- inflammation
- gum recession
- supporting bone loss
- loose teeth
- bad breath
- pain when chewing
- swollen and tender gums
- gum infection
THREE DIFFERENT STAGES OF PERIODONTITIS
There are actually different stages and levels of severity of gum disease.
These three main stages of gum disease are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Each stage is worse than the next, so it’s best to stop gum disease early before advanced periodontitis can set in.
GINGIVITIS
Gingivitis, which is simply an inflammation of the gums, is the earliest stage of gum disease. If you possess gingivitis, you may experience some bleeding while brushing and flossing, along with red and puffy gum tissue. It is caused by plaque that builds up around the gum line and is a reversible process with a simple professional cleaning.
PERIODONTITIS
If you allow your gingivitis to go untreated, the inflammation can continue into the bone and cause periodontitis. At this point, pockets have developed below the gums, and damage is being done to the bones and fibers that help to hold teeth in place. With mild supporting bone loss, the teeth can develop slight mobility. While periodontitis can be controlled, oftentimes the damage is irreversible.
ADVANCED PERIODONTITIS
At this point, your teeth will begin to loosen, and the fibers and bones of your teeth will often be beyond repair. There may be a slight chance of slowing the gum disease to a point where the teeth can still be saved, but the predictability of their long-term survival is in question. This is why it is so important to see a dentist as soon as you notice redness and swelling along the gums, and bleeding while brushing or flossing.
WHAT IS A DEEP CLEANING (SCALING AND ROOT PLANING)?
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while or if you’ve developed periodontal disease, you may need a deep cleaning to ensure the complete removal of calculus and bacteria that are accumulating in the deep gum pocket.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS LIKE?
The process of scaling and root planing begins with an evaluation from your dentist. If you haven’t had a routine cleaning lately, they’ll likely take the time to perform a thorough evaluation of your gums. During the examination, your dentist may also take X-rays to see the condition of your teeth and the level of the supporting bone.
The first part of the deep cleaning process is scaling. This is part of the process where your dentist will remove the plaque and calculus from the tooth’s surface, as well as right below the gum line. This will involve scaling along the root surface.
A special tool called an ultrasonic scaling tool is used to properly remove the plaque, debris and tarter that is causing the gum disease. Often, to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible, the dentist may recommend that some local anesthesia be placed to numb the root and gum tissue.
The next step of the process is root planing. This is where the root of a tooth is smoothed over to create a more difficult surface for plaque to adhere. This process will also remove any food debris, plaque, or tartar below the gum line.
Once the process is completed and your gum tissue has had a few weeks to heal, you should see your gums return to a more stable condition. You will need to maintain your cleaning appointments with your dentist to ensure they remain healthy. Sometimes your dentist may recommend an additional cleaning or two during the year to make sure your teeth remain calculus free.
HOW TO AVOID PERIODONTAL DISEASE
While proper oral care at home can go a long way in keeping your gums healthy, it’s generally not enough. In order to ensure the health of your teeth in gums, it’s important to visit your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you notice your gums becoming sensitive or bleeding between visits, you should consider scheduling an appointment to have them examined.
Remember, untreated care for a long enough period can lead to irreversible damage. It’s best to practice proper at-home care and visit the dentist for regularly scheduled cleanings and checkups.