Let us be your go-to dentists for the basics. Remember the old adage is also true for your teeth: ignore them and they will go away. Twice a year is advised for a regular cleaning (oral prophylaxis) and check-up (exam) to ensure and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
At a regular cleaning, we not only examine your teeth, but also the gums and supporting structures in your head and neck area. This is to ensure everything is normal and there are no signs of redness, swelling, or possibility of cancer.
A lack of regular cleanings leads to gingivitis; eventually turning into gum disease (periodontitis). This is associated with bad breath, painful, bleeding gums, loss of bone and eventually tooth loss. The bacteria found in periodontitis are associated with many systemic diseases. The longer high levels of the bacteria is present in your mouth, the more significant downstream, life-threatening effects will be on the rest of your body. These include the following: cardiovascular disease, hyperglycemia, diabetes, pre-term labor in pregnancy, cancers, Rheumatoid arthritis, Dementia and Brain Health.
The goal of periodontal therapy is to place the active periodontal disease into remission by eliminating bacteria and buildup. In severe cases of this disease, a periodontist can do surgical treatments to eliminate the areas that the bacteria are trapped under your gum. Gum grafts can also help areas where gums have receded from your teeth.
Let’s keep your smile healthy and “Lookin’ Good!”….So you can feel good!
