Can't daily brushing and flossing fight gum disease?
Though daily brushing and flossing is integral to your oral health, it must be combined with routine visits to the dentist to really prevent gum disease. Unfortunately, some individuals are simply more prone to developing gum disease than others, no matter how conscientious their oral hygiene routine. Should you develop the condition, your dentist can use special tools to clean areas beneath the gum line, which are not accessible with a regular toothbrush. They may also use an antibiotic such as ARESTIN to reduce inflammation and bacteria and encourage healing.
What to expect during a deep cleaning
- Your dentist will apply a numbing solution to your gums
- Together with a hygienist, your dentist will use tools to remove tartar and plaque buildup along and below the gum line
- When the tartar is removed, your dentist will use another tool to smooth the roots of your teeth. This helps to prevent new bacteria from accumulating
- In some cases, your dentist will apply an antibiotic to the affected area
Treatment generally lasts under one hour. You dentist will assess the success of your procedure during a follow-up visit. Most periodontists agree that the majority of patients do not require additional treatment following scaling and root planing.