When you have the early stages of periodontal disease, we want to provide treatment to manage it and protect your smile from dangerous complications, such as adult tooth loss. With a periodontal cleaning, we can do so in as little as one to two visits. In today’s blog, your Brighton, MA, dentists talk about improving gum health with a periodontal cleaning.
The Link Between Plaque Buildup and Disease
Over time, the sugar and starch in our foods and drinks can become trapped on or between the teeth. As bacteria consume these particles this coats the teeth in a sticky layer of plaque, which hardens with time into tartar. The buildup cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, and can weaken and erode enamel to cause cavities and even infection. The same layers also irritate and inflame the gums to make the onset of gum disease more likely. You could also develop bad breath and teeth stains! But with a periodontal cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing, our team can remove plaque and tartar completely from your teeth and roots.
Scaling and Root Planing
When periodontal disease develops, this could cause the gums to recede from your teeth, exposing the portion of roots not protected by enamel. Over time, this leads to decay and infection, and you run the risk of periodontitis, the advanced stage linked to adult tooth loss. But we can help with a scaling and root planing. We will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth, as well as the exposed roots and from beneath the gum line.
The procedure could take more than one visit and is more involved than a traditional cleaning, so we will numb your smile beforehand. After we remove the buildup, we will polish the teeth to limit the ability for plaque and tartar to accumulate in between visits, and to brighten your smile.
Managing Your Gum Health
Unfortunately, periodontal disease cannot be cured, so care is needed to manage it and keep your smile healthy and strong. Following your scaling and root planing, our team will recommend a routine cleaning every three to four months to control buildup. At home, you need to brush and floss daily and limit the amount of sugar and starch in your diet. Try to avoid tobacco products too. If you have any questions, contact our team today!
Talk to Brighton Family Dental About Gum Treatment
Our team wants to help you on your path toward healthy gums and full smiles. Learn more about our approach to periodontal therapy by calling us at Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210.
