Deep Dental Cleaning to Treat Gum Disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 64 million men and women over age 18 currently have gum disease. Although extremely common, it can cause severe problems without prompt intervention from your dentist. Fortunately, it’s easy to treat if you already have it and preventable if you haven’t developed it yet.
How Do Dentists Diagnose Gum Disease?
You probably noticed your dentist or hygienist probing your gums during your last routine exam. That helps to reveal the presence of gum pockets four or more millimeters deep. Your dental team can also spot gum disease when part of your gum appears pulled away from the tooth.
Typically, people develop gum disease because they allow too much time to lapse between professional cleanings, or are inconsistent with their brushing and flossing routine. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can cause it as well. Pregnancy can cause gum disease and inflammation also, but this typically only lasts until the woman gives birth.
Treatment of Gum Disease
Most cases of gum disease respond well to a procedure that many patients call deep cleaning. The technical name is scaling and root planing. Those with more advanced gum disease will require more intense treatment.
This type of specialty cleaning differs considerably from what you’re accustomed to at your bi-annual professional cleaning. This type of cleaning involves polishing and scraping the outer and chewing surfaces of each tooth and between the portion of your teeth that sit above your gum line.
Deep cleaning removes bacteria, tartar, and food debris underneath your gum line. It’s not possible to remove them with brushing and flossing alone. Regular dental cleaning won’t reach that far either. Dentists use specialized instruments to remove the bacteria, tartar, and debris so it doesn’t cause additional inflammation that can lead to loose or lost teeth and eventual bone loss.
They typically complete only a portion of the mouth at one appointment to minimize discomfort. Plan to schedule an appointment with your local dentist if you’re concerned about preventing or feel you may need a deep dental cleaning to treat gum disease. Prevention is the best option!
Schedule a Deep Dental Cleaning To Treat Gum Disease
At Suburban Essex Dental, located in West Orange, NJ., we offer all-inclusive periodontal treatments. Do not let the periodontal disease affect the soft tissues surrounding your teeth, gums, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. Contact us to schedule your appointment, let us take a look and start your deep dental cleaning to treat gum disease if needed.
