When you begin to notice a redness or soreness in your gums, or if they begin to bleed or recede, then you should see our team right away. These are common warning signs of gingivitis and the early stages of gum disease, and treatment is ended to manage it and prevent tooth loss! In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about protecting smiles with a periodontal cleaning.
Plaque Buildup and Gum Disease
Over time, harmful oral bacteria can consume the particles of sugar and starch left behind by our foods and drinks. This creates plaque buildup that coats the teeth and over time, hardens into tartar. The buildup also irritates and inflames the gums to create gingivitis or even gum disease. You may notice changes to your smile such as gums that look red or feel sore. You could experience bleeding when you brush and floss too. When this happens, you need to see us right away! We can offer a scaling and root planing to bring the disease into a manageable state, so moving forward we can prevent periodontitis with traditional cleanings and better homecare habits.
The Scaling And Root Planing
The scaling and root planing can help reverse inflammation and could allow us to manage gum disease to prevent periodontitis and the risk of tooth loss. The procedure uses the same tools as a traditional dental cleaning, but we can also remove buildup from the roots and beneath the gum line, destroying the pockets of bacteria that can worsen your disease and discomfort. The procedure can take one visit or up to four, and we will numb your smile to ensure you are comfortable as we remove the buildup and polish your teeth. Afterward, we could help keep your disease in the checkup with traditional cleanings every three to four months.
A Preventive Plan
Along with our visits every few months to control buildup and manage the disease, you need to maintain good oral hygiene habits. At home, be sure you brush twice a day, cleaning along the gum line when you do and using a fluoride toothpaste. You also need to floss every evening to remove the particles of food and drink stuck along the or beneath the gum line, and remove what is between the teeth too. You can help by cutting back on food and drink with sugar, and also avoiding tobacco products.
If you have any questions about our periodontal cleanings, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR LAKE ORION, MI, DENTIST ABOUT PERIODONTAL TREATMENT
Our team wants to help you enjoy good oral health and strong gums for years to come. Find out more about periodontal care by contacting Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
