Deep teeth cleanings to treat gum disease in Thibodaux, LA

Gum disease is incredibly common in the United States, with approximately half of Americans over the age of 30 having it to some degree. While it may just seem like it causes puffy gums or a little “pink in the sink,” periodontal disease is a serious issue that can negatively impact not just your oral health, but also your overall health and well-being. At Acadia Family Dentistry in Thibodaux, LA, we offer deep teeth cleanings as a first line of defense against gum disease.

Periodontal disease explained

To understand the benefits of deep cleanings in the treatment of periodontal disease, it helps to understand how the disease develops and progresses. When we eat, the sugars and starches in foods can lead to a buildup of a sticky substance called plaque on our teeth. If we don’t eliminate the plaque with regular brushing and flossing or miss hard-to-reach areas, the bacteria that are in plaque can begin to proliferate and cause inflammation in your gums. At this point, your gums might start pulling away from your teeth, causing open spaces called “pockets” to form. These pockets then contribute to worsening of gum disease, as they trap plaque and bacteria that cannot be removed by brushing, which can lead to further problems such as loose teeth, tooth loss, and deterioration of your jaw bone.

What are deep teeth cleanings?

For patients with periodontal disease, cleanings that focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth up to the gum line are typically not sufficient to address the overgrowth of bacteria, plaque, and tartar that are contributing to gum disease. That’s where deep teeth cleanings come in.

While routine cleanings get plaque off teeth up to where your gums and teeth meet, deep cleanings, also called scaling and root planing, are designed to target the areas beneath the gum line and down to the root of the tooth. A deep cleaning is a more extensive procedure than a traditional dental cleaning and involves the following steps:

• The first part of deep cleaning your teeth, scaling, is performed using a specialized dental tool called a scaler; we use this to gently clean the plaque and bacteria from each periodontal pocket, taking great care to remove all debris and deposits
• Then, we may perform an oral irrigation with an antibacterial rinse to eliminate any remaining bacteria
• Root planing may also be performed to smooth the rough areas on the tooth roots to prevent bacteria and plaque from being able to adhere to it and improve your gums’ ability to reattach to your teeth

If you have symptoms of gum disease, don’t delay in seeking a diagnosis and treatment. The earlier we diagnose gum disease, the easier it is to treat your gums for a healthy smile. Call Acadia Family Dentistry at (985) 303-2920 to schedule your appointment today!