Our gums are quite sensitive to the buildup of bacteria in plaque and tartar, which is why thorough dental hygiene is so important. When bacteria are allowed to settle into your gums, it can cause swelling, tenderness, and even bleeding when you brush your teeth. Without swift action, the symptoms of gum disease can seriously harm your teeth. Applewood Dental can keep your smile safe with our periodontal disease scaling and root planing treatments!
Periodontal disease, also known as ‘gum disease’, is a common but potentially serious condition caused by an infection of the gum tissue. Periodontal disease happens when bacteria are allowed to sit on the teeth long enough to become plaque, this plaque will harden over time to become tartar which serves as a barrier that prevents you from properly cleaning your teeth.
When tartar forms, only a dental professional using specialized equipment can properly remove the buildup. If left untreated, periodontal disease can be quite dangerous, not only threatening the structural integrity of your teeth, but it’s also commonly associated with heart and lung disease as well.
The best way to prevent gum disease is with good oral hygiene; brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing regularly go a long way to keeping bacteria from settling on the surface of your teeth. Another excellent preventative method is visiting the dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups and professional cleaning.
If the disease has been allowed to progress enough, the most common treatment is scaling and root planing.
This treatment is also referred to as a ‘deep cleaning’. The procedure involves removing the plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and below the gum line to prevent further damage to the teeth.
After we administer a local anesthetic, we use special instruments to loosen plaque and scrape away hardened tartar. We do this by scraping at the gum line and reaching the base of teeth crowns.
Periodontal disease can damage the surface layers of the tooth. Root planing involves getting below the gum to remove plaque at the tooth root. This procedure also calls for the complete removal of cementum, a thin film of calcified material that covers the tooth. This is necessary to completely remove all the bacterial buildup and save the tooth from further damage.
At Applewood Dental, we want to protect your teeth from the pitfalls of poor oral hygiene. If you are suffering from gum disease, don’t let it get worse, call us today!
At Applewood Dental, we lend our commitment to excellence to all our dental procedures. We bring you a wide range of high-quality dental treatments for your cosmetic and general needs. Whether you are looking for whiter teeth, to replace a missing tooth, or protect the dental health of your children, Applewood Dental has you covered.
Give yourself the gift of a dazzling smile.
Restore the smile your thought you had lost.
Missing tooth? No one will be able to tell!
Cavity restoration without leaving a mark.
Get your smile back with custom-made dentures.
Protection is the first step to a lifetime of excellent dental health.
