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Deep Cleaning to Prevent Gum Disease
Do you battle with bleeding gums? Do you have a problem with bad breath that nothing seems to fix? Do you have really sensitive teeth? If you answered, “Yes” to any of these questions, it might be time to visit your dentist to have a deep cleaning.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a common but serious infection that damages your gums and jawbone, often leading to many other problems. While the initial symptoms of gum disease seem harmless, they are anything but. Visit Dental House for a local periodontist in Ann Arbor, MI for preventative treatment and reduce the risk of serious problems a few years down the line.
What are the Symptoms/Effects of Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease is something that starts off slowly. Here are the symptoms to look out for:
- Bad breath that you cannot get rid of.
- Swollen or red gums. This progresses to gums that bleed and are tender.
- Chewing becomes painful.
- The gums start to recede, and this makes the teeth looser.
What Causes Gum Disease?
We all have a mouthful of bacteria, mucus, and particles left behind by food and drink. Together these form the sticky substance that we refer to as plaque. This sticks to the teeth and gets in between the crevices as well.
Over time, layers of this plaque build up and harden into tartar. When it gets to this stage, it must be professionally removed.
How Does Deep Cleaning Work?
Your dentist will use a combination of hand-held instruments and ultrasonic instruments to help chip away the tartar. The ultrasonic instrument used vibrations to help loosen the plaque. The tool irrigates the mouth at the same time so that debris is washed away.
For particularly stubborn areas, the handheld-held instruments will be used to chip away at the tartar.
The number of appointments that you need to have done will depend on how much of a problem you have. Your dentist will discuss this with you when they have assessed your teeth.
In some cases, the dentist may prescribe medication to be used after the treatment. Things like a mouth rinse to kill off bacteria, gels with antibiotic properties, enzyme suppressants, etc. These are aimed at halting the spread of gum disease.
