Routine dental cleanings are important for your wellness, but they aren’t always enough. Regular cleanings every six months paired with positive oral hygiene practices at home inarguably help keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean and lower your risk of potentially serious problems. But many people need something more. Deep cleanings can help stop or reverse early signs or risk factors associated with gum disease, which affects about half of adults ages 30 and up in the US.
Learn more about deep dental cleanings by calling 88 SmileDesign or getting in touch with us through our website. Dr. Edly Destine and our team would love to help you manage the effects of gum disease and enjoy better dental health. Read on to learn about the basics of deep cleanings.
Gum disease develops when plaque buildup near your gums attracts harmful bacteria. Left unaddressed, this buildup fuels redness and inflammation in your gum tissue, which are the first signs of gum disease. While brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings will help on the surface, they can’t effectively remove these plaque deposits. And the longer the plaque sits there, the more problematic it becomes, eventually causing deep pockets, as your gums pull away from your teeth.
Deep dental cleanings help by removing that hardened plaque, known as tartar. That first step, known as scaling, is followed by a root planing process. Root planing helps reattach your gums, minimizing those deep pockets, and smooths the roots of your teeth.
Deep dental cleanings can enhance your gum health immediately and moving forward. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association analyzed over 70 studies and showed that deep dental cleanings can improve the oral health of people who have chronic periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. This is important, given that gum disease is progressive. Periodontitis can lead to serious complications, including severe tooth damage and loss. Deep dental cleanings may also help by giving you the feeling of a fresh start, motivating you to take better care of your teeth and gums at home.
If you haven’t had a dental cleaning for some time, a deep cleaning may be just what you need to get back on track. Many symptoms of gum disease go unnoticed until they become more severe, so you might not even know that you’re in the early stages.
If your gums frequently bleed when you brush or floss or appear especially red and inflamed, it’s likely you have gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Gingivitis can also cause chronic bad breath. This is a great time to have a deep cleaning, as a way to both treat your current symptoms and prevent them from progressing to periodontitis. After looking at your teeth, gums, and perhaps X-rays, Dr. Destine can help determine whether a deep dental cleaning is your next best step.
To get on the path to better dental health and stop or prevent gum disease, call our office today.
