Let’s talk about periodontal disease. When does a person need a deep cleaning? During hygiene appointments, we take measurements inside the gum pockets around each tooth going from the top of the gums to where the gums attach to the tooth. When teeth are not cleaned properly for a period of time, bacteria calcifies above and below the gums, secreting toxins that make the gums puffy and inflamed (gingivitis) and that cause bone loss (periodontitis), both of which increase the pocket measurement. When the pockets increase, there is room for more bacteria to live inside the pocket, making the condition worse over time until treated with a deep cleaning (also called scaling and root planing). After the calculus deposits are removed from the teeth, bacteria decrease and gum pockets return to a more manageable size. However, people with periodontal disease must be especially diligent about hygiene appointments, as bacteria will begin growing again if not properly maintained with regular cleaning. Over time, this can result in tooth loss. The increased bacteria in your mouth can also exasperate a host of additional medical conditions related to periodontal disease. If you need help getting your periodontal disease under control, we’re here for you! Call 402-413-0505 to schedule.
