Regular and “Deep” Cleanings
In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed. We will also make suggestions for preventative measures such as dental sealants to prevent cavities or nightguards to protect against grinding down your teeth.
If we feel that you are suffering from gingivitis or gum disease, we may recommend a deep
cleaning (aka. scaling and root planing). These procedures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss and helping you to keep your natural teeth.
Deep Cleaning (aka. Scaling & Root Planing)
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure which removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Typically, you are numbed so that we can go slightly below the gumline to clean areas your floss can’t reach. Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and tartar from the pockets in between your teeth and your gums. Plaque turns into tartar and tartar creates a rough surface that harbors bacteria. The bacteria release toxins that irritate the gums and perpetuates the gum disease process.
Your gums should not feel swollen or bleed when brushing or flossing. Those are just two signs that your gums need to be evaluated.
