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Preventative & Periodontal Treatments
Periodontics in Palmdale CA
Did you know that the health of your gums has been linked to your overall health? A lack of good oral hygiene can lead to a buildup of plaque and bacteria on the teeth and around the gum line, and it can ultimately lead to gum disease.
Gum disease not only impacts your teeth & breath, but can also lead to systemic inflammation and is linked to other medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. At Exceptional Dentistry, we’re here to help you prevent gum disease. Should it develop, however, our dentist and hygienist can treat it with periodontal services in Palmdale, California. Call us today at (661) 349-7725 to schedule your visit, and let us help take care of your health!
Preventative Visits (Phrophylaxis Teeth Cleaning)
When you have good oral hygiene, then you may be a candidate for a prophy (phrophylaxis cleaning). This type of teeth cleaning is done above the gumline.
Depending on how susceptible your teeth are to plaque buildup, we may recommend that you come in every four to six months. But the good news is, this will keep you from developing cavities and a more advanced form of periodontal disease.
Periodontal Therapy (SCALING AND ROOT PLANING)
When you need more than a basic cleaning, you’re typically in need of a scaling and root planing because the bacteria we mentioned before is reeking havoc below the gum line.
Scaling and root planing has many different names: S.R.P.’s, deep cleaning, scaling and root debridement (S.R.D.’s)—but whichever name you’re familiar with they all translate to necessary periodontal therapy.
Periodontal Maintenance
If you’ve had periodontal therapy then that meant that the pockets between your teeth were deep and harboring bad bacteria. It’s great if you’ve taken the step to remove buildup and disrupt the bacteria colonies, but in order to ensure that bacteria doesn’t do more harm in those deep pockets, periodontal maintenance will be necessary.
Periodontal maintenance cleanings are more involved than a basic cleaning and they are intended to maintain the treatment we’ve done so far so that your gums & bone don’t get destroyed by the disease.
These cleanings are usually scheduled every three to four months.
If gum disease is left untreated, plaque will continue to build up and bacteria will continue to grow until you develop what is called periodontitis. In this stage, the gum tissue will begin to recede, and it could lead to bone or tooth loss. In order to catch gum disease early on, it is important to be aware of the symptoms, which include:
- Irritated and inflamed gums
- Constant bad breath
- Swollen and red gums
- Bleeding gums
- Pain while chewing
- Receding gum line
- Increased tooth sensitivity
Depending on the severity of your condition, our dentist can offer a wide range of periodontal treatments. These can include deep cleanings to remove pockets of harmful bacteria, pocket-reduction surgery to remove bacteria and clean the bone and tooth roots, and tissue or bone grafts to replace tissue or bone that has been damaged or lost. If you have gum disease, our dentist will evaluate your condition to help you know which treatment is best for you.
If you have any questions about periodontics and how to prevent your smile from being affected by gum disease, we invite you to contact our dental office today.