Periodontics
periodontics
Luckily, keeping your gums in great shape is easier than you might think. At Soothing Dental, Dr. Vinton and his friendly team are here to help you practice good periodontal care. Check out these facts about the importance of caring for your gums before scheduling your next routine dental exam and cleaning.
WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection that affects one’s gums. While it is common, gum disease is easily prevented by practicing excellent oral health habits at home and visiting the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings. However, not brushing or flossing every day or skipping dental visits could cause plaque to form on your teeth, which can harden and turn into tartar build-up. When left untreated, tartar build-up can lead to gum disease. Plaque and tartar are impossible to remove at home; deep dental cleanings are the only way to remove them altogether once they become built up.
A dentist must diagnose gum disease. However, some symptoms could indicate that you have it, including:
- Bleeding gums
- Sensitive gums
- Inflammation
- Bad breath
- Painful chewing
- Loose or missing teeth
DEEP DENTAL CLEANING PROCEDURE
Deep dental cleanings remove sticky plaque and tartar build-up while reducing gum inflammation and improving the health of one’s gums. They are different from regular dental cleanings because they focus on the areas around the gum line. They usually take place during two appointments and can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to complete. During your first appointment, your teeth will be “scaled” or have their plaque and tartar removed from the gum line, while the second appointment will include “planing” where plaque and tartar are removed from the tooth’s roots.
After teeth scaling and root planing, it’s common to experience tenderness or sensitivity in your mouth as well as swollen gums, but this should subside within a day or so.
Deep dental cleanings are for patients whose gums have pulled away from their teeth, creating a space that’s more than 5 mm deep. If left untreated, this space could continue to widen and cause loose teeth or even tooth loss.
Deep dental cleanings are beneficial for many reasons, including:
- Cleaning your teeth around the gum line
- Preventing the progression of gum disease
- Getting rid of bad breath caused by gum disease
- Treating inflammation and infections
- Restoring your oral health
WHAT HAPPENS IF PERIODONTAL CARE IS POSTPONED?
Dental problems don’t go away on their own. On the contrary, they are likely to get worse, cause pain, and affect other aspects of your oral health over time. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to a general dentist for a routine dental exam and cleaning, or you’re experiencing the early signs of gum disease, now is the time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vinton. Treating dental concerns sooner than later makes treatment more manageable, comfortable, and less expensive.
HOW MUCH DO PERIODONTAL DENTAL SERVICES COST?
The cost of your periodontal cleaning will depend on your dental insurance plan. Please contact our office for more information about what your dental insurance policy covers.
SOOTHING DENTAL: THE BEST CHOICE FOR PERIODONTAL CARE IN MIDLOTHIAN, TX
At Soothing Dental, we are proud to offer professional dental services and compassionate care to help our patients keep their smile in tip-top shape. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your teeth professionally cleaned, there’s no better time than now to prioritize your oral health. Contact us today to schedule your next routine dental exam and cleaning. We can’t wait to see you smile!
