Gum Tissue Care
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a progressive condition that often starts silently, but without proper treatment, can progress into a more serious condition. The first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, is a relatively mild condition, but treatment is still important. Gingivitis is generally characterized by red, swollen, or inflamed gums, bleeding during flossing, and even halitosis (bad breath). If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into advanced cases that can cause bone loss, eventually leading to tooth loss.
47% of American adults have periodontitis (gum disease)
Why are cleanings important?
The health of gums and teeth are equally important in maintaining a great smile. If plaque and calculus are allowed to accumulate on the teeth, the resulting bacterial buildup can irritate and inflame the gums. We offer scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance at our Hixson, TN, office—two non-surgical treatment options designed to return your smile back to proper oral health by removing the cause of inflammation and clearing the teeth of all buildup.
For most patients, a visit to our office every 6 months for a cleaning and exam will help maintain optimal dental health and catch disease before it begins. During a cleaning appointment, we use specialized dental tools to carefully remove bacteria, plaque, and calculus (tartar) from the teeth unable to be removed by normal brushing and flossing. We place heavy emphasis on preventing issues like tooth decay and gum disease before it arises, so our team of hygienists may recommend products like fluoride varnish, water flossers, electric toothbrushes, or prescription toothpastes & mouthwashes based on your specific needs.
What to expect before & after the procedure?
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A licensed hygienist will perform a gum assessment and cleaning, typically with Ultrasonic or hand scalers
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Once the teeth are free of debris, flossed, and polished, either Dr. Randall or Dr. Julian will perform an exam to check for issues including oral cancer or other mucosal lesions, cavities, gum disease, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and more.
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Fluoride varnish may be applied to help strengthen tooth enamel depending on your cavity risk
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Various dental products may be recommended based on your needs to ensure that your dental home care is adequate for another 6 months!
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As always, feel free to ask our dentists or hygienists any questions you may have regarding your dental health!
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Scaling and root planing (SRP) involves utilizing special tools and medications to remove bacteria that promote destruction of the jaw bone surrounding teeth. Depending on the number of teeth that require this "deeper cleaning," the process may need to be divided into multiple appointments.
What to expect before & after the procedure?
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A licensed hygienist will perform SRP
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The areas to be addressed will typically be numbed with local anesthetic
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Calculus (tartar) buildup will be removed with either ultrasonic or hand scalers
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The deep pockets will be flushed out
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You can expect slight soreness in the cleaned area up to a few days after the procedure
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You will return for maintenance cleanings at an interval determined by the dentist
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Studies have shown that most patients with a history of gum disease benefit from more frequent cleanings every 3 or 4 months as opposed to a traditional 6 month cycle. Some may even alternate between our office and a Periodontist if gum disease has progressed to a certain level. During a periodontal maintenance appointment, we use specialized dental tools to carefully remove bacteria, plaque, and calculus (tartar) from the teeth unable to be removed by normal brushing and flossing. We place heavy emphasis on preventing issues like tooth decay and gum disease before it arises, so our team of hygienists may recommend products like fluoride varnish, water flossers, electric toothbrushes, or prescription toothpastes & mouthwashes based on your specific needs.
What to expect before & after the procedure?
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A licensed hygienist will perform a gum assessment and cleaning, typically with Ultrasonic or hand scalers
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Once the teeth are free of debris, flossed, and polished, either Dr. Randall or Dr. Julian will perform an exam to check for any dental issues if indicated
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Fluoride varnish may be applied to help strengthen tooth enamel depending on your cavity risk
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Various dental products may be recommended based on your needs to ensure that your dental home care is adequate for another 3-4 months!
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As always, feel free to ask our dentists or hygienists any questions you may have regarding your dental health!
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