Gum Treatment and Cleaning in Mississauga and Stoney Creek
Regular gum treatment and cleaning are the foundation of a healthy smile.
What is gum treatment and cleaning?
Deep gum treatment is a procedure in which a dentist or hygienist deep-cleans the teeth and gums. It is necessary when the patient experiences an infection or develops gum disease.
A dental cleaning is a routine hygiene appointment that helps keep our patient’s teeth and gums healthy, thereby preventing gum disease.
Signs You Need Gum Treatment
The most common signs a patient needs gum treatment and cleaning include:
Professional Gum Treatment and Cleaning – What are the Benefits?
Patients who invest in gum treatment and cleaning are not just taking care of their gums – they are also taking care of their whole body.
Here are some of the benefits of gum treatment and cleaning.
Healthier Gums
Regular dental cleanings are an integral part of oral healthcare to prevent gum disease.
An individual with gum disease will need a deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing. The goal of the procedure is to arrest the disease (as it is irreversible).
Follow-up care will include cleanings every three to four months to maintain gingival health and reduce the risk of gum disease progression.
Reduced Risk of Losing Teeth
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. The gum tissue is delicate. To stop the irritation caused by bacteria-laden plaque and tartar, the gum tissue starts to recede. Eventually, the jawbone itself starts to recede, leaving little bone around the roots of the teeth. Arresting the disease keeps the gums and jawbone healthy enough to support the teeth.
Improved Overall Health
Research shows a strong link between gum disease and heart disease, including high blood pressure and heart attacks. It has also been linked to:
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy complications
- Dementia
Keeping the gums healthy with gum treatment and cleaning is a sure way for patients to protect their general health, as well as their oral health.
How Gum Treatment and Cleaning are Done?
Here is what our patients can expect when they visit a gum treatment and cleaning dentist.
Preventative Cleaning
During a routine dental cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will use various instruments to remove plaque and tartar build-up. One of the steps of a gum treatment and cleaning is to check the health of the gums by measuring the depth of the gum pockets around the teeth. The provider will finish by polishing the teeth. The dentist may take x-rays and perform an oral examination to check for decay or oral cancer, too.
Scaling and Root Planing
Patients who present with gum disease need a deeper cleaning as their gum pockets are deeper and they have more plaque and tartar build-up.
Typically, two appointments are scheduled, with one side of the mouth treated at a time. The hygienist or dentist will numb the gum tissue to keep the patient comfortable while they clean below the gum line. At this appointment, they may administer antibiotic treatment directly into the gum pockets.
Gum Treatment and Cleaning Explained: FAQs
The idea of a deep cleaning can cause some anxiety. To ease our patient’s minds, here are some answers to patients’ most frequently asked questions.
Are Deep Cleanings Painful?
We thoroughly numb the gum tissue to keep patients comfortable. Once the anesthesia wears off, gum tenderness is common. Warm salt-water rinses and anti-inflammatory medication will reduce discomfort.
Will it hurt?
Patients are fully anesthetised during the procedure. After surgery, soreness may occur. If necessary, we will prescribe painkillers to manage discomfort.
What are the Gum Treatment and Cleaning Risks?
Some patients worry that deep gum treatments will make their teeth loose or lead to infection.
Gum treatments are safe and prevent loose teeth. If a patient experiences looseness, it is because the tartar build-up was masking the level of bone loss.
Gum disease is, essentially, a chronic infection. The deep cleaning does not cause an infection. It is a way to treat the infection.
Do I Need to Go to a Specialist?
Wondering where to get a gum treatment and cleaning? Most patients can receive treatment in their general dentist’s office. However, if a patient with gum disease requires more extensive treatment, they may need a referral to a gum specialist (periodontist).
Gum Treatment and Cleaning Near Me: Choose a Location that Fits Your Needs
One thing that holds people back from keeping regularly scheduled dental visits is convenience. If they have to travel too far out of their way to see their dentist, they are more likely to cancel appointments.
We want to make life easier for our patients, which is why we now provide dental services in two locations. Patients are welcome to visit us at our new Stoney Creek location or at our Mississauga office – whichever is most convenient.
Has it been a while since your last cleaning? Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
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