Periodontal Maintenance Weymouth MA
Many people believe that all dental cleanings are the same. In reality, the type of dental cleaning that your dentist recommends for those without gum disease is very different from that needed for patients with severe periodontal disease.
Why Is Oral Hygiene So Important?
Our teeth are always under assault by oral bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease, medically known as periodontal disease. By brushing and flossing our teeth, we are keeping oral bacteria from gaining a foothold in our mouths. Otherwise, plaque and tartar can form on the teeth, leading to a chronic inflammatory condition called periodontal disease. In turn, this can threaten the loss of original teeth.
Important Factors Affecting the Health of Your Gums Include:
- Smoking tobacco products
- Eating an unhealthy diet
- Not keeping up with your dental cleaning and exam appointments
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by an accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a bacterial biofilm that sticks to the teeth, unleashing acids that eat away at tooth enamel and cause the gums to become chronically inflamed and infected.
The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis, which can be reversed when you resume your proper oral hygiene habits. If it goes untreated, gingivitis will then progress into an irreversible type of gum disease called periodontitis.
Preventing Gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush your teeth at least twice daily, ideally after every meal, and floss them at least once a day to remove trapped food particles from in between your teeth.
In addition to proper oral hygiene at home, maintaining your dental cleaning appointments ensures that your teeth remain free of plaque and tartar that could otherwise cause gum disease.
Periodontal Maintenance
If you have ongoing periodontal disease, you may need to undergo a special type of dental cleaning known as scaling and root planing.
If you undergo periodontal maintenance, you will receive a professional cleaning that is deeper than a conventional cleaning that patients without gum disease receive. This is because those with periodontal disease tend to experience gum recession and pockets. These pockets develop when the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, giving oral bacteria a safe place to hide from your everyday cleaning efforts.
A professional periodontal maintenance cleaning is able to reach these pockets and remove plaque and tartar formations that would otherwise cause further damage to your gums and teeth.
For Additional Information
If you would like to receive additional information about periodontal maintenance and gum disease, please contact our office for more information or to schedule a consultation for any of our services and treatments.