Your gum health is critical to maintaining a healthy smile for life. While everyone knows that it’s essential to keep your teeth in tip-top condition, it’s equally important to care for your gums. Along with brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly every day, visiting the dentist twice a year for routine dental exams and professional cleanings is critical to protecting your gums. Here’s what you should know about gum disease treatment before scheduling your next appointment with the friendly team at Walnut Creek Dental.
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Periodontal disease, also referred to as gum disease, is a type of infection that affects one’s gums. It’s typically a result of poor oral health habits, such as not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly or, in some cases, genetics. When food particles and bacteria are left behind in the crevices of your teeth, and along your gum line, an invisible film will form over the surface of your teeth called plaque. When left over time, plaque will harden into tartar buildup, causing your gums to move away from your teeth and resulting in gum disease and requiring a deep dental cleaning.
Gum disease often occurs and worsens without any symptoms, but you may notice one or more of these signs:
Your dentist must diagnose you with periodontal disease. If you are diagnosed, they will most likely recommend that you undergo a periodontal cleaning to restore the health of your smile. Deep dental cleanings are similar to routine dental cleanings that you have done at your bi-annual dental appointment. However, along with removing the plaque from the surface of your teeth, deep dental cleanings also include removing the tartar buildup from underneath your gum line in a process called root planing. Deep dental cleanings are more invasive than routine dental cleanings; it’s common to experience mild discomfort after your procedure that lasts about a day or two.
If you’re diagnosed with gum disease, a deep dental cleaning can provide many benefits, including:
Like other dental concerns, gum disease will not resolve itself independently. If you opt to not have a periodontal cleaning or leave it untreated indefinitely, gum disease will worsen over time and cause more serious dental complications, such as spreading the infection to other areas of your body or resulting in tooth loss. Because of this, it’s essential to visit the dentist every six months for routine dental exams and professional cleanings and make an appointment if you notice any symptoms of gum disease.
Your dental insurance may cover part or all of the cost of a deep dental cleaning. To learn more about what your dental insurance plan includes, please contact our office.
You deserve to have a healthy smile for life. If you’re concerned about gum disease or can’t remember the last time you’ve had your teeth professionally cleaned, there’s no better time to schedule a routine check-up and cleaning with the trusted team at Walnut Creek Dental. We are proud to offer professional, judgment-free care to our patients. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.
Call 614-864-2466 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
