Periodontal Care
Even if you practice excellent brushing and flossing habits at home and visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings, gum disease can still develop. When the build up of plaque and tartar isn’t properly addressed, you might require periodontal care to deeply clean your gums.
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease occurs when this area becomes infected. Gingivitis is the most common type and is also the earliest stage. This happens when bacteria seep into the gums, causing them to become inflamed. Plaque and tartar are the most common culprits behind gingivitis and other gum diseases. It is important to treat gum disease as early as possible to prevent more serious problems from developing. In more severe cases, weakened gums can lead to needing a tooth extraction as well as dental implants to fill in the gap.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are part of a deep cleaning and they focus on removing plaque and tartar from underneath your gumline. Scaling is the first step and it consists of removing bacteria buildup from the parts of your teeth that are in your gums. Once your dentist does this, they will conduct a root planing. This is when your dentist polishes the root surfaces, which makes it harder for bacteria to settle back into your gumline in the future.
Contact Us To Learn More About Scaling & Root Planing
If you think you are noticing signs of gum disease or if your dentist has mentioned anything, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Fort Bliss Family Dentistry in El Paso, TX today. We are located on Fort Bliss and are here for anyone with access to the base.
