If you have gums that feel sore, look red, or bleed easily, then you may need to see our team for a periodontal cleaning. This preventive visit can help prevent or manage the disease to keep your smile healthy and full. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about periodontal disease prevention with a periodontal cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing.
The Warning Signs of Trouble
When should you see our team about your gum health? Any changes to your gums could be a cause for concern, so we want to see you right away for an exam and diagnosis. If you have sore and red gums, or if they bleed easily or begin to recede, then you should contact our team. With digital imaging technology, we will examine your tissues and assess the risk for your smile. We can then plan treatment with precision to manage the disease and protect your smile from the periodontitis stage, which is linked to adult tooth loss.
Scaling and Root Planing
In many cases, we will address gingivitis and the early stages of gum disease with a deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, this involves removing all plaque and tartar for the teeth and the exposed roots with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. This could take a single visit or several, it all depends on the extent of your buildup. We then polish the teeth to keep them bright and make it more difficult for buildup to accumulate before we see you again. Following the procedure, we may recommend a traditional cleaning every three to four months to control buildup and inflammation. Since this is more involved than a traditional cleaning, we can numb your smile to keep you comfortable!
Prevention from Home
You can also help control buildup and inflammation with good oral hygiene habits at home! For example, start and end each day by brushing your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles. You should floss before bed as well, which removes what is trapped between teeth and just under the gum line. Try to avoid tobacco products and also cut back on the sugar and starch in your diet.
If you have any questions about our periodontal cleanings, or if you have sore and bleeding gums that need attention, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk to Your Lake Orion, MI Dentist’s Office About Periodontal Treatment
By keeping your gums healthy and strong, you can avoid discomfort and even adult tooth loss. To schedule an appointment for a periodontal procedure, then call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
