Plaque and tartar buildup can irritate and inflame your gums. This buildup could then lead to gum disease and even the risk of periodontitis, the stage linked to adult tooth loss. But we can help fight severe buildup! In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about fighting gum disease with a scaling and root planing.
The Impact of Plaque and Tartar on Your Gums
These layers form in the teeth when harmful oral bacteria in your smile break down and consume the particles of sugar and starch left behind by the food and drinks we consume. Lack of proper brushing and flossing each day, and infrequent visits for professional cleanings, can also allow the buildup to grow in severity. When it reaches a certain point, you may need more than a traditional cleaning. This happens when the gums have begun to recede due to the onset of gingivitis and gum disease, exposing roots that buildup coats. You need more than a cleaning, you need a way to remove plaque and tartar from the exposed roots and beneath the gum line, you need a deep cleaning.
The Deep Cleaning Process
Also known as a scaling and root planing, this process helps remove buildup from both the teeth and roots, and is more involved than a traditional cleaning. As a result, we will numb the area being treated with a local anesthesia, and the procedure could take one visit or as many as four, depending on the extent of your buildup. Our team will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove the layers from your teeth and roots, and from under the gums too. We then polish the teeth to help limit the ability for these layers to occur. Afterward, we will discuss care to manage your gum health and prevent or manage gum disease.
Managing Your Gum Health
We will likely recommend a traditional dental cleaning, which takes only a short time and is less involved than a scaling and root planing, every three to four months. At home, you should rush and floss daily and avoid tobacco products. Try to cut back on the amount of sugar in your diet too. If you have any questions about how we improve your gum health and offer a more attractive smile, or if you want to schedule a visit with our team, then reach out to our office today to learn more and get started.
Schedule a Visit to Protect Your Gum Health
Our team wants to help you smile with confidence and keep your teeth intact, which is why we offer deep cleanings and other treatments to improve gum health. To learn more about periodontal treatment, call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at (913)681-5500.
