Dental Hygiene Services
Routine Prophy & Cleaning
Prophylaxis is the removal of plaque & tartar ABOVE the gum line in the absence of gum disease. This procedure usually provides patients with a maintenance service every 3-6 months, combining with daily brushing/flossing to prevent periodontal disease.
Scaling & Root Planing ( Gum Therapy or Deep Cleaning)
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure in which the hygienist removes plaque and tartar BELOW the gum line. Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed.
It is important to remove the plaque and tartar from the pockets because aside from the bacterial toxins that irritate the gums, rough surfaces of tartar make it easier for bacteria to attach and secret the toxin which destroying the bone around the tooth.
Periodontal Disease & Treatment
Periodontal disease is a chronic gum infection, that causes by periodontal bacteria, such as P. Gingivalis. The bacteria secrete toxins and will destroy the supporting structure of your teeth, that includes: gum and bone. This is the main cause of tooth loss.
Once the patient has been diagnosed with periodontal disease, the following sequence of treatment is usually required to get the gum back in shape:
- Periodontal Probing: Measuring the depth of the gum pocket. A healthy pocket is usually between 1-3mm. An unhealthy pocket is 4mm and up.
- Root Planing (Deep Cleaning): Removing tartar, plaque ABOVE & BELOW the gum line.
- Localized Antibiotic: During deep cleaning, any pocket between 4-6mm can be treated with a localized antibiotic, placing directly into the infected area.
- 1 Month Re-Evaluation: Following deep cleaning, we offer a follow-up to see the progress of the treatment. If periodontal disease is under controlled, a patient will be placed on a routine 3 mo periodontal maintenance with hygienist to stop the progression of the disease. If periodontal disease is not under controlled, periodontal surgery is recommended to stop bone loss, tooth loss.
80% of adults over 35 yrs. old have Periodontal Disease
The above statement is supported by the American Academy of Periodontology and is also contained in the 2003 World Health Organization Report.
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection. In the early stages, the disease infects the gum tissue. If left untreated, the infection will progress to the bone supporting the teeth. The end stage result is the loss of teeth.
Medical research increasingly shows periodontal disease may be linked to an increased risk of other serious medical problems: Heart Attack, Stroke, Diabetes, Respiratory Disease, Miscarriage, Premature Births, Low Birth-Weight
Dental Hygiene - Periodontal Health
While at our office, we make sure that you receive the highest level of service and ensure that our dental work is of the highest quality. To ensure that you maintain great oral health, this level of quality needs to extend into your personal oral hygiene routine. We can help you establish a dental hygiene routine that will keep your teeth healthy and white. If you have any questions about your current hygiene plan please ask us.
Your teeth are not the only important part of your mouth. Your gums are essential to oral hygiene as well. We can provide periodontal cleanings and treatment, or refer you to one of our recommended specialists. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During a dental exam, the doctor will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches or recurring sore areas. We use the Velscope which is the most sophisticated equipment.
Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.
Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
