Why are healthy gums so important?
Healthy gums are important because they're basically the backbone to the oral mucosa. They are the underlying component to the teeth themselves. We want to keep them free of bacteria just because they can get inflamed, have bleeding, and the structure that holds our teeth in place.
How can I tell if my gums are healthy or unhealthy?
Being able to tell if your gums are healthy or unhealthy is a big one. We can see a lot of inflammation, redness, and bleeding when our gums are unhealthy. That's due to the bacteria that is underneath the gums causing chaos underneath them. When they are healthy, they don't necessarily bleed, and that's why we want to use floss to get under those gums, disrupt all that biofilm, which is plaque, the yellow kind of layer that can sit on the teeth and the gums.
Can unhealthy gums be fixed?
Yes, unhealthy gums can be fixed. We like to check the gum health with something called perio charting, which involves taking a probing measurement to see how deep those pockets are. If they're a certain depth, we'll sometimes recommend a deep cleaning, where we go underneath the gum surface more than normal to remove all of that bacteria, restoring them back to health. We can also curettage the gum slightly, which involves taking off a small layer of the gums to remove bacteria.
What is involved in the process of a deep cleaning of the teeth?
The process of a deep cleaning may involve giving local anesthetic to make the patient more comfortable, as we go under the gums more than in a standard cleaning. We're removing tartar or calculus buildup on the root surfaces. Sometimes we'll inadvertently or advertently curettage the gums as well to remove bacteria. The gums are often inflamed and may bleed, and there could be exudate, which is a pus-like liquid that can come out if they're inflamed.
Why does it take more than one sitting for dental cleaning?
When doing a deep cleaning, depending on how involved the tartar buildup is, we like to do a half mouth per appointment for the patient's comfort. This allows us to focus more time on those areas. We usually do two quadrants per appointment, which means half a mouth each visit. Additionally, we avoid numbing the entire mouth all at once.
What are the factors for a three-month, four-month, or six-month recall for your deep cleaning?
With deep cleanings, we typically see patients every three months. We like to see them four to six weeks after the deep cleaning to check the probing depths for tissue healing and bleeding. Initially, we keep them on a three-month recall to prevent tartar buildup. If home care is good and healing is proper, we might extend it to four or even six months.
Is deep cleaning painful?
Deep cleaning can be uncomfortable, but we usually use local anesthetic to ensure comfort. The root surface can be sensitive, but anesthetic helps minimize discomfort.
What are the best ways to take care of my gums at home after deep cleaning?
After deep cleaning, we recommend a warm salt water rinse for pain relief. It's important to gently floss to disrupt plaque and prevent new calculus buildup, especially since the gums may be tender.
What's the difference between a Prophy and a deep cleaning?
A Prophy is a routine cleaning for patients with good oral hygiene, typically done every six months. It involves minimal tartar buildup. A deep cleaning, or SRP, involves more tartar buildup on root surfaces and requires scaling the roots of the teeth to prevent bone loss.
How can I schedule a dental appointment?
You can schedule an appointment at the front office or contact anyone at Riverside Center for Esthetic Dentistry.