Cleaning/Gum Treatment
Cleaning/Gum Treatment
Good oral hygiene is important not only for your smile, but for your overall health as well. Regular dental exams and professional cleanings can prevent these and many other health problems. Careful and frequent brushing with a toothbrush helps to prevent build-up of plaque bacteria on the teeth. Proper oral hygiene is crucial to maintaining the overall health and appearance of your teeth.
Teeth cleaning by a professional remove tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach in routine tooth brushing. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing and debridement if too much tartar has accumulated. Between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene helps to prevent cavities, tartar build-up, and gum disease.
Gum disease is infection of tissues surrounding your teeth, and one of the major causes of bone loss if left untreated. Regular dental cleanings and good home care are main factors in preventing gum disease.
The two stages of gum disease are called gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is mild gum disease that affects only the gums, the tissue that surrounds the teeth. Periodontitis is gum disease that gets worse and spreads below the gums to damage the tissues and bone that support the teeth.
What is gum disease?
Gingivitis causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily when the teeth are brushed. Because gingivitis usually doesn’t cause pain, many people don’t get the treatment they need.
Periodontitis develops if gum disease gets worse. The gums pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets where germs called bacteria can grow and damage the bone that supports the teeth. Gums can also shrink back from the teeth. This can make the teeth look longer. Teeth may become loose, fall out, or have to be pulled out by a dentist.
We recommend that patients of all ages brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day, in addition to undergoing regular dental exams and professional cleanings every six months. Truly, your dental health requires an investment on your part. As such, you will want to make sure that you entrust the health of your family’s teeth to a reputable family dentist.