When you have the warning signs of periodontal disease, such as sore, red, and bleeding gums, then you need treatment to manage the issue and keep your smile free of tooth loss. One way to manage the disease is with a holistic periodontal cleaning. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist explains how we help safeguard your smile.
The Causes and Warning Signs of the Disease
What are the causes of gum disease? The problem starts when your gum tissues become inflamed, often due to factors like plaque buildup, poor brushing and flossing habits, a diet high in sugar, tobacco use, and a family history of the disease. Certain illnesses and medications could be a factor too. You may experience sore, red gums that bleed easily in those early stages, but over time inflammation increases until gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter. You then develop periodontal disease, and lack of care means it can grow in severity and reach the periodontitis stage, which could cause adult tooth loss!
The Periodontal Cleaning
In the early stages, the periodontal cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing, could reverse inflammation or allow us to manage the disease to avoid the later stages. The procedure uses the same tools as a traditional cleaning, including an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick. Since the procedure is more involved, we may numb the smile to keep you comfortable. We then remove buildup from the teeth and also the exposed root portions, and beneath the gum line too. This could take one visit or as many as four, and we complete it by polishing your smile to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to the teeth.
Managing the Issue
Following the scaling and root planing, our team will recommend a traditional dental cleaning every three to four months so we can manage the issue and protect smiles from worsening symptoms, including tooth loss. At home, you should brush and floss daily, and also cut back on the sugar and starch in your diet. Be sure you avoid tobacco products. These actions help manage disease and also lower the risk of other issues, such as tooth decay or dental infection.
If you have any questions about how we manage your gum health and protect smile stability, then contact our team today to schedule an appointment. We can help you enjoy optimal oral health again!
Talk to Your Lake Orion, MI Dentist’s Office About Periodontal Dentistry
Our team wants to help you avoid poor health and the risk of tooth loss. To schedule a visit to control harmful plaque buildup, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
