Periodontal Maintenance and Deep Cleaning
More than 64 million adults in this country either currently suffer from gum disease or did so in the past. The good news is that, with the right oral health care and support, this uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, disease can be treated, cured, and even prevented!
How We Diagnose Gum Disease
Dr. Roberson diagnoses gum disease when he confirms the presence of periodontal pockets. This means your gum tissue has separated from your tooth and formed a pocket greater than four millimeters in depth. Gum disease may affect part or all of your mouth.
Inconsistent brushing and flossing, infrequent dentist visits, and health conditions such as diabetes, are some common causes of gum disease. Pregnant women may also develop the condition, and should maintain visits with their dental care provider throughout their pregnancy.
At Roberson Dental, we use a procedure called root planing and scaling to treat gum disease. You may also hear our Birmingham dental team refer to it as deep cleaning. Patients with advanced gum disease may require more advanced care, but Dr. Roberson will first discuss with you all treatment choices to be sure you understand your options before the deep cleaning therapy begins. Roberson Dental is the experienced and most professional gum dentist in Birmingham AL.
How Deep Cleaning Differs from Regular Cleaning
During a regular dental cleaning, one of our hygienists will focus on the surface of your teeth, as well as spaces between your teeth that sit above the gum line. The hygienist polishes your teeth as well.
The bacteria present on your gum line causes your body to create an immune response which, in turn, causes inflammation. If untreated, a bacterial infection will continue to grow beneath the gum line. This can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and the need for tooth extraction.
A dental deep cleaning removes tartar, bacteria, and debris that sits below the gum line. Having tartar on your gum line can attract bacteria, which cannot always be removed with regular brushing and flossing, or even with regular dental cleanings.
Most patients agree that a deep dental cleaning is preferable to losing one or more of their teeth. That’s why, whenever it is an option, Dr. Roberson will be happy to explore this alternative with you. Just give us a call, and we’ll get you in the schedule!
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HOURS
Mon, Tue, Wed: 7:30am – 4:00pm
Thurs: 7:30am – 3:00pm
Fri, Sat, Sun: Closed
** Fridays are administrative work days for Roberson Dental.
