Periodontal Cleaning

What is a Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection in the gum tissue. Consists of three different phases, the first phase is gingivitis. In this phase, it is reversible and good home care and a general teeth cleaning like your dentist help reverse it. The second phase is periodontitis and the third phase is advanced periodontitis. Periodontitis involves infection around the tooth and the supporting tissues and it is not reversible. Once you have periodontitis it will stay with you for the rest of your life. But it can be kept under control with good oral hygiene and with general dental care from your dental hygienist and maintaining that care throughout your life time. Advanced periodontitis involves even more bone loss and more disease in the tooth and supporting structures. Advanced bone loss may need referral to a specialist.

What is the difference between periodontal cleaning and regular cleaning?

A periodontal cleaning is a deeper cleaning, it is more meticulous and is more involved than regular teeth cleaning that focuses on the cleaning of the plaque or bacteria, the stains and the calculus or the tartar of the tooth. But during a periodontal cleaning it is more involved in the root structure of the tooth.

Do I need to have x-rays?

X-rays are a way to show us what is happening with your teeth. We can look into the mouth and see certain things but we can’t see the bone around the teeth and we can’t also see between the teeth. So x-rays are used by the dentist to determine if there is decay between the teeth and by the hygienist in determining what the bone levels look like on the teeth.

What do suggest for routine home care?

Everyone should be brushing and flossing. Most people get really tired of hearing, "I need to brush, I need to floss" but what we have to remove from our teeth, is bacteria. The bacteria regrow on your teeth every 8-12 hours. That is why we need you brushing twice a day. If you do not brush that long, or that often, you are going to have form of periodontal disease start. The bacteria toxins will cause an infection in the gums. You can use a hand tooth brush or we very often recommend an electric tooth brushes. We also suggest that you try to use your dental floss once a day. 60% of the tooth is cleaned with your tooth brush that leaves 40% of your tooth not being cleaned during that time of home care.

My insurance only pays for me to see my dentist twice a year? Should I have it more often?

Insurance only pays for what they feel is a necessary payment. Not everyone falls in the same category. We wish that could be the case but it is not. When you have dental issues you need to be seeing your dentist as often as needed, not what your insurance tells you what you need.