Maintaining good periodontal health means avoiding uncomfortable symptoms and even adult tooth loss. In order to help reverse gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, and prevent periodontal disease, your El Paso, TX, dentists may suggest a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. In addition, we’re going to look at how to protect your smile from home too!
The Warning Sign and Causes of Gingivitis
Gingivitis occurs when the gums become inflamed. This inflammation could occur for a number of different reasons. For example, a combination of too much sugar in your diet and poor oral hygiene means that plaque buildup will form on the surfaces of your teeth. The buildup will begin to irritate and inflame the gum tissue. Eventually, you will notice sore, red gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss. At this point, you need treatment to reverse the problem. Otherwise, as the inflammation grows more severe, the risk of gum disease increases. Once gum disease forms, there is no cure. Instead, routine treatment will be necessary to manage it and prevent issues like adult tooth loss.
Deep Cleanings with Scaling and Root Planings
In order to help reverse gingivitis, or to manage the early stages of gum disease, we may suggest a scaling and root planing. Using an ultrasonic scaling device, we will remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of both the teeth and the roots. We then polish the smile thoroughly. The procedure can take one visit, or up to four, depending on the extent of your buildup. Afterward, routine visits every three to four months for a regular cleaning could help control plaque buildup and protect your smile.
Better Periodontal Health at Home
At home, try to cut back on sugary and starchy foods, or drinks with a high sugar content, as these could feed harmful bacteria. Also, make sure you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, when you wake up and once more before bed, and also that you floss thoroughly before bed as well. These actions help control plaque buildup. A cleaning every six months, or every three to four if you have high risk factors for periodontal disease, allows us to remove all plaque and tartar to control the risk of inflammation. If you have any questions, then contact our team today.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO, TX ABOUT PERIODONTAL HEALTH
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, our team is ready to help you enjoy better periodontal health and about serious complications related to gum disease. For more information on preventive dentistry, contact your El Paso, TX, dentists at Sunny Smiles on Dyer Street by calling 915-859-7000.