Periodontal and Preventative care is a foundation of dentistry. The American Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist regularly – usually twice a year – for full cleanings, examinations, and consultations for potential treatment. Professional dental cleanings help remove built-up of plaque and calculus that is not removable using conventional brushing and flossing. Often, this will also help to identifying potential problems that patients are not yet able to see or feel. When you maintain regular preventative dental appointments, you can stave off decay and gum disease, as well as identify the beginnings of oral health problems before they become severe.
At our office we provide various types of the Periodontal services from Regular Prophy to Root Planning and Scaling. Please call our office to schedule your next appointment.
Did you know:
That Americans are less and less likely to visit the dentist as they age? Data from the Centers for Disease Control reports that approximately 65.6 percent of Americans over age 65 visited the dentist in 2017. That compares to about 66.7 percent adults under age 65 and about 85.9 percent of children ages 2 to 17. Nonetheless, it is important to visit the dentist for periodontal care and exams regardless of how long has passed since your most recent dental appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to have my teeth professionally cleaned?
Yes. Even if you brush and floss after every meal and before bed, bacteria-harboring plaque can accumulate in the tiniest crevices, grooves and pits. Overtime, the teeth may develop a caries in those areas, which may result in pain and partial or total tooth loss.
What should I expect at my periodontal care appointment?
Your periodontal care appointment will consist of a visual evaluation of the teeth and gums, and our hygienist Dina will advise you on the type of periodontal care that will fit you best. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you may require a more deeper periodontal treatment such as a Full Mouth Debridement or a Root Planning and Scaling. During which a dental hygienist will use special instruments and a prophy jet machine to remove tartar build up from your teeth above and below your gums. Once the tartar build up is removed, your teeth will be polished. After that you’ll also consult with Dr. Jones about any oral health problems you may have been having or questions that you may have.
What types of guidelines should I follow after my visit?
In between periodontal care appointments and consultations, be sure to maintain good oral habits at home. This includes daily flossing and brushing after meals. And if you are at the high risk of developing tooth caries or gum disease it is important to follow the recommendations given by our hygienist or Dr. Jones.
