Does Chewing Gum Replace Brushing Your Teeth?

If you’ve heard the rumours that chewing gum is as effective as brushing your teeth, you’re not completely wrong.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), sugarless gum containing xylitol helps prevent tooth decay, especially after eating. More than just freshening your breath, chewing gum can also help improve your oral health.  These are just a few benefits of sugarless gum.

Benefits of chewing sugarless gum:

Studies from the  University of Groningen in the Netherlands have found that:

  • Chewing gum prevents cavities. Chewing gum increases your salivary flow which helps wash away or neutralize harmful acids in your mouth.
  • A single piece of gum can trap up to 100 million bacteria which is about 10 per cent of the bacteria in your mouth. This means there is less bacteria in your mouth and ultimately less plaque.
  • Chewing gum reduces tooth sensitivity. It can also reduce tooth sensitivity caused by whitening treatments.
  • Chewing gum strengthens tooth enamel.

Does chewing gum replace brushing/flossing?

Not at all. Chewing gum is great if you can’t brush immediately following eating or drinking, but it should never be used as a replacement. You should keep up with a good oral health regime – brushing and flossing twice daily and regular dental checkups.

What Are the Five Most Common Dental Problems?

You can’t be healthy without good oral or dental health. According to Dental Hygiene Canada, Canadians spend approximately $13 billion dollars a year on oral health care, diseases, and injuries that are almost all preventable. The good news is brushing twice a day, flossing, eating properly and regular dental check-ups are essential steps in preventing dental problems. Educating yourself about common dental problems and their causes can also go a long way in prevention. Here is a list of five common dental problems.

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent dental issues in Canada. More commonly known as cavities, tooth decay starts when plaque stays on teeth for too long. Although anyone can have cavities, children and older adults are at the most risk.

2. Gingivitis

Found in the gum’s crevices, gingivitis is also known as early gum disease. Swelling, inflammation and bleeding gums are signs you should look out for. Immediate treatment is very important so that it does not develop into periodontal disease.

3. Periodontal Disease

According to Colgate, periodontal disease is found in about 8 out of 10 adults. Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth. These include the gums, the cementum that covers the root of a tooth, the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease, the infection affects only the gums. In more severe forms of periodontal disease, it causes infections which attack the gum tissue and the tooth ligament.

4. Oral Cancer

More than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancers this year, and more than 8,000 will die from it, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Your chance of getting oral cancer increases as you get older and is very often linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Recently, the number of cases has risen because doctors have discovered that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can also cause oral cancer.

5. Tooth Overcrowding

Are you noticing that food is getting stuck in new places in your mouth or that crowded teeth are now overlapping even more? While an unattractive smile is not technically a dental problem, it is a major reason why many patients seek dental treatment. According to Dr. Lee Graber, Past President of the American Orthodontics Association, as you age, your teeth shift. This can be problematic, not because you’ll look different, but because it can make your teeth more difficult to clean. When your teeth are difficult to clean, you are more likely to get tooth decay. It’s also of concern because misaligned teeth can lead to teeth erosion and damage to the supporting tissue and bone.

Regular dental visits accompanied with good oral hygiene means all of these diseases can be prevented. If you’re diligent with both your oral hygiene and dental visits you are likely to prevent one or more of these diseases.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Four Teeth Whitening Techniques You Should Consider

In recent cosmetic dentistry industry surveys, findings showed that teeth whitening was the most popular performed dental care treatment in most dental offices. However, with so many options out there, you want to ensure you’re choosing the best and safest product. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide which option is most suitable for you.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, the primary agent to whiten teeth is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2.). The level of hydrogen peroxide used is the primary factor when it comes to determining treatment cost. In-chair whitening at the dentist office will always be the most expensive treatment because it uses the highest levels of hydrogen peroxide which guarantee the best results. However, with the demand growing and patients shying away from the high cost, take home kits have become popular in the marketplace. Take home kits offer the possibility of whiter teeth at a reduced cost and fewer side effects. It also marks an evolutionary step in tooth whitening with the patient taking on the responsibility of performing the procedure at home.

The teeth whitening market has evolved into four categories:

  1. In office whitening systems. Historically, professional whitening procedures were performed in the dental office, typically using concentrated hydrogen peroxide and by isolating surrounding soft tissue to avoid contact with the whitening agent. Although this pretty much guarantees results, drawbacks include: lengthy chair time, higher cost, and the risk of tooth sensitivity.
  2. Dentist prescribed kits for at home use by the patient. Dentist prescribed kits have significantly less peroxide than in-chair whitening but much more peroxide than OTC strips, gels, and toothpastes. This is why they are prescribed with a list of detailed instructions, to ensure you’re achieving optimal results.
  3. Over the counter whitening/take home kits. Consumer whitening products available today for home use include:
    • Gels
    • Rinses
    • Chewing gum
    • Toothpastes: While ordinary whitening toothpastes relied mainly on their efficacy in removing extrinsic tooth stains, the newer generation or “advanced whitening” dentifrices are also claimed to be effective in removing intrinsic stains.
    • Paint-on films: Paint on films normally contain 6-8% hydrogen peroxide and is directly applied to the teeth with a brush. They are used to lighten individual teeth as well as your entire mouth.
    • Whitening strips (introduced in the market in the early 2000’s). Very cost effective (in comparison to in-chair whitening procedures), the results do vary and they only have a shelf life of approximately six months.
  4. Other non-dental options. There are several DIY whitening tips on the market these days. These include rubbing lemon juice, strawberries, and banana peels across your teeth for a whiter smile. Rubbing acids of any kind on your teeth is dangerous and may actually erode your enamel causing more time in the dental chair. Other popular non-dental options include coconut oil pulling and applying activated charcoal on your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, there has been no scientific proof that these two options actually whiten teeth.

Before choosing a teeth-whitening method, it’s also important for you to understand how these products will work. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) separates whitening into two different methods, surface and bleaching. Bleaching the tooth removes both deep stains and surface stains using products that contain peroxides. Surface bleaching removes only surface stains. Whatever option you choose, it’s always best to ask your dentist first what they recommend and to make sure that it is CDA approved to assure both safety and effectiveness.

What is the Best Age to Get Braces?

You may be considering braces and probably have some questions and concerns of your own about braces. Some of those questions may include how you’re going to pay for them, length of treatment, and what is the best age to get braces. Here’s the lowdown on this aspect of dental care.

Most common reasons why people need braces?

  • Crooked teeth
  • Overlapping
  • Overcrowded teeth
  • Malocclusion (bad bite)
  • Bad persistent habits (i.e. thumb sucking)
  • Genetics (if you or someone in your family needed braces, chances are your child will also)
  • Affected speech
  • Gum disease and tooth loss
  • Jaw problems
  • Teeth grinding
  • Tooth injury
  • Cosmetic appearance

Types of Braces:

Today there are many options to choose from:

  • Traditional Braces: Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires.
  • Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces, but are made of transparent ceramic. The wires can also be transparent to make the braces less noticeable.
  • Lingual Braces: Lingual braces are the pretty much the same as traditional metal braces. The only difference is that the brackets and wires are placed on the inside of the teeth.
  • Clear Aligners: Clear aligners consist of custom-made, mouth guard-like clear plastic aligners. The aligners are removable and are replaced every two to three weeks.

What is the most common age get braces:

There is typically no set age for a child to get braces. Some dentists recommend children start seeing the orthodontist as early as 6. Some kids start when they are 10, and some don’t start seeing an orthodontist until they are in their teens.  Dental professionals recommend to wait either until:

  1. All primary/baby teeth are gone
  2. 12 year molars (aka second molars) are starting to grow in

Here are some risks of putting braces on young children:

Something to keep in mind is that caring for your braces is essential to an effective treatment plan.  This is why it’s sometimes suggested to put early teens in braces as opposed to younger children.

  • It’s so easy for food to get stuck in wired braces, your child will have to take extra care and implement a proper brushing regimen to mitigate the risk of cavities (which can develop in between the brackets). This can be difficult for young children.
  • What child doesn’t like snacks? Foods like popcorn, candy, and gum can all damage braces. It can be easier to enforce better eating habits in young children, but just as difficult to enforce a proper brushing regime.
  • Young children don’t understand the costs associated with braces. This appliance is very expensive (despite the fact you have coverage or not).
  • Young children are less likely to wear the removable retainer after their braces are off, causing the teeth to re-shift back into their original position.

Braces are an important step to giving your child the smile that will give them confidence and high self-esteem. We will help your family start that journey by advising you on what is the best age for braces for your children.

Eight Tips to Maintain Good Oral Health

Oral Health is so important because everyone wants to have a healthy smile! Having poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems. Some of these are gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Here are eight tips that dentists recommend for maintaining or improving your oral health.

Tip #1:  Practice good brushing techniques

According to Colgate when you brush your teeth, you should use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or any other restorative surgery you may have had. Pay close attention to the outer surfaces of your upper and lower teeth, the inner surfaces, the chewing surfaces and your tongue.

Tip #2:  Always remember to floss

When you don’t floss, you’re at risk for two major dental issues in your mouth, gingivitis and cavities between your teeth.  You should floss at least once a day and the best time to do so is right before you go to bed to remove any food and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line.

Tip #3:  Stay away from tobacco

Not only is smoking linked to lung cancer, it can also create cardio-pulmonary problems, may lead to asthma, and takes a negative toll on your dental health.  By smoking, your mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Smoking also may give you foul breath, delays the time it takes to heal from oral surgery, causes your teeth to become yellow, and increases your chances of getting oral cancer.

Tip #4:  Reduce pop, coffee and alcohol consumption

Pop, coffee and alcohol can also have ill effects on your smile, potentially leading to cavities and more serious diseases like gingivitis and tooth decay. While moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle, alcohol isn’t generally considered healthy for your teeth or body. Beer for example is highly acidic (which wears down your tooth enamel), dark barley (the primary ingredient in most beers) stains your teeth, and the sugars in the pop and some alcoholic beverages encourages plaque and tartar buildup.

Tip #5:  Consume vitamin rich foods that are good for your teeth

When it comes to the health of your teeth, you really are what you eat. Your diet makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy smile. Simple adjustments can be made to your diet such as adding more dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, consuming dairy products and adding more fibrous vegetables. Getting more vitamins and nutrients into your diet will not only stimulate your gums but also build your teeth’s enamel.

Tip #6:  Use a mouthwash in conjunction with brushing and flossing

With a proper regime of brushing and flossing twice daily, mouthwash is the cherry on top that will make your dental health great. Some mouthwashes that contain chlorine dioxide are very helpful because they help to kill bacteria in your mouth. Mouthwash also maintains fresh breath and strong teeth.  In fact, a new study published in a journal by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) showed that mouthwash might be more effective at reducing both plaque and gingivitis than brushing alone.

Tip #7:  Maintain regular visits with your dentist

You may wonder why the Canadian Dental Association and your dentist recommend you come back every six months. It’s because regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. In between those examinations, it’s important that you work to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy by maintaining a proper oral care regimen (i.e. brushing at least twice daily, flossing, etc).

Tip #8:  Brush your tongue

Brushing your tongue is an important factor in your oral care regime because bacteria buildup on your tongue can spread to your teeth, causing gingivitis, or red, inflamed gums. If it’s not treated, the inflammation can advance to periodontal disease. Think of your tongue as a sponge for bacteria. On average, there are approximately 700 different bacteria species living on your tongue. While not all of these microbes are detrimental to your health, if you allow them to breed, they can cause damage which is much more severe than bad breath.

What Causes Halitosis and How Can You Treat It?

When you’ve got bad breath, you might not realize it, as it’s difficult to actually smell your own breath. But when people start to drift away from you when speaking or breathing, it’s probably a good indication that you have halitosis (the medical term for bad breath), which is more normal than you may think.

Causes of Halitosis:

Most bad breath starts in your mouth and is usually caused by bacteria. There are many possible causes. They include:

  • Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic and certain spices can also cause bad breath.
  • Tobacco products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odour. Smokers are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.
  • Poor dental hygiene. If you don’t brush your teeth and tongue and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath.
  • Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth or xerostomia naturally occurs during sleep, leading to “morning breath,” and gets worst if you sleep with your mouth open. Gum disease, mouth sores, infections and medications can also cause dry mouth.
  • Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odour. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, can also cause bad breath.
  • Other causes. Diseases (i.e. cancers, metabolic disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, etc.) can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of chemicals they produce.

Treatment of Halitosis:

The best way to improve bad breath is to follow a thorough oral care routine including twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to remove the food particles and bacteria from your teeth, tongue and gums. Keep in mind that mouthwashes only improve bad breath for the short term, and if you have a chronic problem, your dentist may suggest an antimicrobial rinse to help keep bacteria at bay.

How to Prevent Halitosis:

  • Brush after you eat
  • Floss at least once daily
  • Make sure you clean right to the back of your tongue when brushing
  • Clean dentures or oral appliances
  • Avoid dry mouth
  • Try to avoid foods with strong scents that linger, such as onions and garlic
  • Chew sugar-free gum, especially when your mouth feels dry
  • Eat fresh, fibrous vegetables such as carrots, celery and broccoli – they can help clean your teeth and prevent plaque from forming

It can be easy to keep your breath fresh! Practice good dental hygiene, and your mouth as well as the people around you will be thankful you did.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Five Health Issues Caused By Bacteria

Oral health is about so much more than just the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums since your mouth is how most things get into your body. Because the mouth has about six million bacteria particles, it’s important to keep your mouth clean and implement a proper dental regime. Bacteria can have detrimental effects to your oral health. It can get into your bloodstream and cause infection and inflammation wherever it spreads. This is why it is so important to practice good oral hygiene and to see a dentist regularly in order to avoid serious risk to the body’s overall health.

Poor oral hygiene can lead to:

Cavities

According to Colgate, 60 to 90 per cent of people will get cavities (also known as caries) at some point in their life. Cavities are caused by excess plaque and tartar that live on your teeth. Once plaque forms, the acid wears away the enamel, the tooth’s hard outer surface, forming tiny holes in your teeth. These tiny holes or gaps in the enamel are the first stage of cavities. If left untreated, the acid and bacteria will continue to break down the layers of your teeth and start to affect the dentin, a softer layer of tissue under the enamel.

Treatment: The typical treatment for cavities are fillings, but if a tooth is badly destroyed your dentist may opt to remove or cover it with a dental crown.

Gingivitis

Between 50 and 90 percent of adults have gingivitis, which, if left untreated, leads to periodontal disease. Gingivitis is formed when food debris mixes with saliva and bacteria-forming plaque that sticks on the surfaces of teeth. If dental plaque and tartar aren’t removed by regularly brushing with toothpaste and flossing, it can become mineralized and form tartar. Tartar is very hard and can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.

Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Gums then separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Viral Infections

50 to 80 per cent of all adults in the US carry oral herpes, which is a result of the herpes simplex virus. Oral herpes may cause blisters and ulcers on the tongue or gum, flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. Once you are infected, the virus permanently resides in your body. However, with proper care, the infection can stay dormant.

Cancer

Obviously, poor oral health practices such as smoking or using tobacco products can lead to oral and throat cancers, but other types of cancer have also been linked to gum disease. Risk for kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancers is much higher for people who have poor oral health.

Oral health is an indicator of overall health. Taking care to prevent oral health problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease can go a long way toward decreasing the risk for more serious health problems throughout the body.

Warning Signs of Oral Cancer: Are You at Risk?

Cancer is a serious disease and has several different variants,  but oral cancer is particularly dangerous because it’s not always caught early. It can fester for months without producing pain or symptoms you’re familiar with and often when it’s detected it may be too late as the tumours may have already started to grow. According to the American Cancer Society there was about 48,000 people diagnosed with 9,700 of these cases being fatal in 2017, so it’s important to know what oral cancer is and how to treat it.

What causes oral cancer and who gets it?

Although the exact cause of oral cancer is unclear, there are certain lifestyle factors that can put someone at risk for this disease. According to the American Cancer Society, men over the age of 50 are twice as likely to develop oral cancer than women and about 25 percent of the population will still get oral cancer despite the fact they may not smoke and/or drink.

Risk factors for the development of oral cancer include:

  • Tobacco – including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, etc.
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Excessive sun exposure to your lips
  • Family history of cancer
  • Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Age  (it normally occurs in people over 40)

How is oral cancer diagnosed?

As part of your routine dental exam, your dentist will conduct an oral cancer screening exam, which is quick, painless and crucial to detecting oral cancer in its early stages.  More specifically, your dentist will feel for any lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, face, oral cavity,  look for any sores or discolored tissue as well as check for lumps or anything irregular.

Symptoms

According to the Canadian Cancer Society the most common symptom is an ulcer or sore in your mouth and lip that doesn’t go away after treating it. Other symptoms include:

  • white patches (leukoplakia), red patches (erythroplakia) or a combination of red and white patches (erythroleukoplakia) on the lips or in the mouth
  • a lump or growth on the lips, in the mouth or on the tongue
  • thickening of the inner cheek lining
  • bleeding in the mouth
  • niggling earaches
  • loose teeth
  • dentures that no longer fit
  • slurred speech
  • swollen salivary glands
  • swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • numbness or loss of sensation over the tongue or lips
  • swelling in your jaw
  • voice changes
  • pain when swallowing
  • weight loss

Treatment:

After a diagnosis has been made and the cancer has been staged, treatment may begin and will mostly likely include the work of surgeons, radiation oncologists, chemotherapy oncologists, dental practitioners, nutritionists, and rehabilitation and restorative specialists. Whether you require surgery, a combination of radiation and surgery and chemotherapy, is dependent on the stage of development of the cancer. For those whose cancer is caught at a later stage, the results of surgical removal of the disease may require reconstruction of portions of their oral cavity or facial features.

A regular dental checkup twice a year is an important cancer screening tool. These visits give your dentist the chance to detect any signs of oral cancer in the earliest stages. Visit any of our locations to receive an oral cancer screening and speak to one of our practitioners to maintain optimal health.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Main causes of bleeding gums

Do you ever notice that your gums are bleeding after you floss or brush your teeth? Many people see this as a normal occurrence, but the reality is that the gums should not be sensitive enough to bleed from slight pressure. If a person’s gums are bleeding, it may be a sign that they are dealing with one of these oral health issues.

  1. Inadequate Plaque Removal

    One of the most basic reasons for bleeding gums is plaque buildup along the teeth. Dental plaque starts out as a sticky, colorless deposit, but if it is not removed, it turns into a hard, yellow buildup. When plaque develops along the gum line, it can separate the gums from the teeth. Infections can build up in these areas, and then the sensitive gums tend to bleed more easily,

  2. Gum Disease

    Also known as gingivitis, gum disease is a gum inflammation caused by a bacterial infection. It happens when food or plaque gets trapped in the gums and form small pockets of infection and inflammation. If left untreated, a person can eventually get periodontitis, a more severe infection. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States and Canada, but it is also highly treatable. Proper flossing and brushing can keep gum disease away.

  3. Tooth Cavities

    The gums are close enough to the teeth that a tooth problem can also affect the surrounding gum area. A cavity is an area of infection on a tooth, so it can easily spread infection down into the gumline. The gums then begin to get inflamed as they try to fight off the infection, so even light stimuli may cause bleeding.

  4. Other Health Problems

    The gums have many blood vessels close to the surface, so they can be a good indicator of overall circulatory health. For example, if a person does not have enough platelets to clot blood, the gums are more likely to bleed. Gum bleeding is also more common among patients who have liver disease, blood clotting disorders, leukemia, anemia, or temporal arteritis.

  5. Denture Wear

    If you wear dentures to replace missing teeth, it is especially important to be vigilant with brushing your mouth and cleaning your dentures and remaining teeth. Plaque builds up on dentures just as easily as regular teeth, and this can cause gum inflammation. Dentures may also cause gum bleeding if they do not fit properly because they can scrape against the gums and cause tiny scratches and sores. People who wear their dentures without the recommended rest period at night are particularly likely to have this sort of bleeding.

  6. Flossing Difficulties

    Flossing works to remove plaque along the teeth, so if you do not floss regularly, you will get inflammation. The first time you floss in a while, the gums may begin to bleed as a response. Gums will also bleed due to trauma, so if you floss too vigorously, you may damage the sensitive tissue and make it bleed.

Bleeding gums are typically a sign that something is irritating the gumline. In many cases, being careful to maintain your oral hygiene can make the bleeding go away after a few weeks. If the problem persists, it may be a good idea to discuss your concerns with a healthcare professional.

 

Author Bio:

Annie Grace Wilson is a Public Relations Specialist for Denturehelper.com. She regularly produces content for a variety of blogs that cover topics from denture maintenance, upkeep and information.

When Do You Need a Deep Teeth Cleaning?

Deep cleaning your teeth sounds like something you should do after you’ve missed a few visits to the dentist. It is actually a specific procedure performed by your dental hygienist to treat gum and periodontal disease.

When is a deep cleaning required?

Everyone experiences some form of plaque buildup, but a deep clean is not necessary for everyone. Deep cleanings are recommended for the following circumstances:

  • Deep Pockets:  If you have more than 4 mm between the tooth and gums.
  • Not kept up professional cleanings:  I you have not kept up a dental regime of regular professional cleaning appointments twice per year.

The differences between a deep cleaning and a regular teeth cleaning?

A regular cleaning is designed for the maintenance of healthy gums. Healthy gums have small, shallow spaces between the teeth and gums. Regular cleanings are recommended for patients who have generally good oral health and do not suffer from bone loss, bleeding gums, gum recession, or infection.

A deep cleaning is necessary when you notice your gums bleed when you floss. This means your gums are already irritated and that the pockets are probably deeper than 3 mm. If you notice these symptoms, see your dentist as you may have inflammation or gingivitis. If mild gum disease is left untreated it can lead to more severe ailments like periodontitis and other health issues.

What does a deep clean entail?

  • Scaling: Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and from the pocket area between the teeth and gums
  • Root planing: Your hygienist will use a scaling instrument to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the roots of your teeth.

What happens if you don’t get a dental deep cleaning?

If you are noticing sensitivity, bleeding gums or inflammation, it’s crucial that you find a dentist in your area to check your gums and do a thorough examination before things get worse. Your dentist will only recommend a deep cleaning if the space between your tooth and gum (called a pocket) is more than four millimeters deep. An infected tooth is not only a risk to your smile; oral infections can lead to abscesses, heart disease, or much worse.

Treatment and after care:

Once the plaque and food particles are cleaned out, your gums will begin to heal themselves and re-form the tight seal around your teeth. This takes six to eight weeks. If you are a candidate that requires a deep cleaning, find out how to maintain healthy gums after your procedure. Bone loss from periodontitis is irreversible making it easier for plaque to creep back under your gums and cause more inflammation.

If you want to learn more about periodontal disease or are trying to determine if you need root planing or scaling, please visit any of our locations to speak to our dental professionals.