A routine cleaning is recommended every six months to prevent periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease occurs when there is infection in the gums due to bacteria. It can eventually affect the bone surrounding the teeth and lead to bone loss and tooth loss as well as infecting other parts of the body.

Some signs that might indicate periodontal disease are the following:  swollen, red, tender, or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth, loose teeth, and receding gums. Periodontal disease can be treated with a non-surgical procedure known as scaling and root planing. The hygienist will thoroughly remove all plaque, bacteria, and tartar from your teeth and root surfaces and smooth all rough areas on the roots.

A local anesthetic might be used to minimize any possible discomfort during the procedure. We will want to see you in six weeks after the procedure for a follow-up appointment to check the healing of your gums. If your tissue does not respond to the scaling and root planing, you might be referred to a specialist (a periodontist) for further treatment.