Unless your dentist tells you otherwise, you should attend regular dental checkups every six months. On this semiannual schedule, you can count on undergoing a professional teeth cleaning, and having your smile closely checked by your Ankeny, IA dentist, at every appointment. So how often should you expect to undergo a focused periodontal cleaning? While your gums deserve daily support when you brush and floss, a deep periodontal cleaning is not necessary at every routine checkup. However, it can be recommended if your dentist sees signs of gingivitis affecting these tissues during a visit. With a deep periodontal cleaning, we can take care of bacteria beneath your gum line so that you no longer have to worry about an infection’s effect on your well-being.
Symptoms That Can Be Present When You Have Gingivitis
While your dentist is able to warn you about gingivitis, there are signs that you can watch out for when you clean your teeth. Do your gums bleed easily when you brush, or whenever you floss? Gingivitis could be the reason this happens. You might also notice that your tissues look swollen, or appear discolored.
Arranging A Periodontal Deep Cleaning
While the standard teeth cleaning provided during a checkup helps patients avoid problems that can require dental fillings and dental crowns, a more thorough treatment may be necessary if you have gingivitis. During a periodontal cleaning (also known as scaling and root planing), areas of your teeth below your gum line are cleaned in order to remove bacteria responsible for gingivitis. The process also includes treatment to make these surfaces of your teeth smoother, so bacteria will have a more difficult time gathering in the future.
How Can I Make Sure I Avoid Gingivitis In The Future?
While you can appreciate the thorough care provided during a deep cleaning, you can be eager to avoid problems that require this care in the future. One thing to remember is that your oral care routine at home can impact your risk for an infection. Make sure that you clean thoroughly each day when you brush and floss, and pay attention to the way your brush and floss string move. If you are not cleaning at the base of your teeth, you may wind up with an accumulation of bacteria that can cause a new infection to occur.
Talk To Dental Impressions In Ankeny, IA About The Benefits Of A Deep Periodontal Cleaning
At Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, patients who exhibit signs of periodontal trouble can be treated with a deep periodontal cleaning, or scaling and root planing. This is one of many services that we provide in order to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. To find out more, or to set up your next visit, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny today at (515) 965-0230.
