For as long as you can remember, you have been advised to visit your dentist in Cary every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup. However, if your insurance company or dentist has recently recommended that you receive a cleaning more often, you may be a bit confused as to why it is necessary. While most people only need the preventive procedure twice a year, those with certain conditions, like gum disease, will need to have their teeth cleaned more often. As a result, you may find yourself in the dental chair more often than what was previously recommended.
Do I Need More Frequent Cleanings?
Your home oral hygiene habits are your first line of defense against dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. However, even with the best brushing and flossing methods, there are still areas in the mouth that you cannot clean at home, which is why you should see your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning.
For many, this semi-annual appointment is enough to ward off dental issues; however, if you suffer from gum disease, you will need to visit your dentist more often. Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissue caused by bacteria. Most often, it is due to poor oral hygiene habits in the past, which affects nearly half of adults in the United States.
If the infection is not treated promptly, it can lead to chronic periodontitis, which can cause significant damage to the teeth and gums. If the infection has reached this point, your dentist will recommend that you come into the office more often to have your teeth cleaned as part of your periodontal maintenance.
What Happens During the Cleaning?
If you have gum disease, the cleaning process will vary slightly from what you may typically expect. A special procedure is used, known as a deep cleaning, commonly referred to as scaling and root planing. While a regular cleaning focuses on the surfaces of the teeth that are visible above the gum line, a deep cleaning removes bacteria and tartar collections below the gum line.
A numbing agent is used to minimize your discomfort while special dental tools are used to clean the pockets that have formed in the gum tissue. The dentist will then shape or plane the roots of the teeth to help prevent bacteria accumulations in the future.
This is an effective means to help prevent the complications of advanced gum disease from intensifying, which is why your insurance company or dentist may recommend a cleaning more often. This helps to reduce the need for more invasive or costly treatments in the future by restoring your gum health.
Dentist Near Me for a Cleaning
If you have gum disease, look for a dentist in your area who specializes in gum disease treatment.
About Dr. Darren Koch
For more than 15 years, Dr. Darren Koch has been a trusted source for comprehensive dental care, including many specialty services, like periodontal therapy. If you have any questions regarding gum disease, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.
