What to Expect from a Dental Cleaning When Gum Disease is Present
In recent studies by the CDC, it was found that 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is caused by dental plaque which contains harmful bacteria and inflames the soft tissues around your teeth. It is associated with nearly 60 other health problems, including diabetes, heart conditions, and Alzheimer's disease. Preventing gum disease and tooth loss is one of the chief reasons to be diligent about oral hygiene and to visit the dentist regularly.
During your first visit to Indigo Dentistry, a full series of radiographs are taken by the assistant, the hygienist will measure and record probing depths of your gum tissue and a comprehensive exam with Dr. McCoy is performed. Based on the doctor’s findings and the hygienist’s probing measurements, the doctor will recommend a prophylaxis cleaning (prophy or general cleaning) or a more invasive type of cleaning referred to as scaling and root planing (SRP for short).
If a prophy cleaning is recommended for you, this means your probing depths are within normal limits (measuring 0-3mm) with little to no bleeding. This type of cleaning focuses on scaling above the gum tissue, and in between teeth to remove any plaque, tartar and calculus that may be present. Along with hand scaling, the hygienist will polish your teeth with handheld brush that spins and polishes all 5 surfaces of each tooth.
If a scaling and root planing cleaning is recommended, this means there was visible bone loss, a presence of calculus below the gum tissue and your gum measurements were above 3mm. The SRP cleaning is split in two separate appointments. Right upper and lower side and left upper and lower side will be done separately. The cleaning focuses more on sub gingival area (the area below the gum tissue) that we cannot visibly see. At your first appointments, the hygienist may offer local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort that may be felt. SRP cleanings typically take longer to perform than a prophy cleaning due to the amount of time it takes to remove the deep-rooted bacteria, plaque and calculus that has been clinging to your teeth for an extended period of time. Upon completion of your first SRP appointment the doctor will send you home with a prescription strength mouth rinse to assist with controlling the amount of bacteria that may try to regrow after your initial cleaning. In some cases, an oral antibiotic may be recommended as well.
After your second SRP your hygienist will schedule a follow-up periodontal maintenance appointment which will be every 3-4 months to monitor bacteria regrowth and healing of the gum tissue. If improvement is noted, you may never have to repeat the initial SRP cleaning again. If there is no improvement noted after the full treatment of SRP, a referral to a periodontist may be given to further address any areas of concern that may not be healing properly.
Contact Indigo Dentistry (803) 736-9991 today for a brighter, healthier dental future. Whether a prophy cleaning or a scaling and root planing appointment may be best for your specific situation, scheduling an appointment is the first step to improving your overall oral health in 2023. There is no need to suffer or risk further damage to your teeth, gums and even jawbone. The sooner you act, the better your outlook. Schedule an appointment at Indigo Dentistry and discover how our team can best help you.