Your hygienist or one of our dentists may suggest that you undergo a deep cleaning, also referred to as scaling and root planing, to treat your periodontal disease. If you have not had a preventive cleaning in some time, the buildup of plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) can grow and cause issues deep in the gum and bone area leading to deep gum pockets, receding gums, and bone and tooth loss.
During a deep cleaning at Elgin Family Dental, your hygienist will expertly remove all the plaque and calculus (tartar) that forms on your teeth above and below the gum line, including cleaning to the bottom of the pocket that surrounds your tooth. She will then smooth the root surfaces to encourage the gums to reattach to your teeth.
Patients who smoke or chew tobacco or have diabetes or immune deficiencies may be at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. Our office is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy mouth which is linked to our overall health such as cardiac and inflammatory disease. If you notice that your gums look puffy and inflamed or bleed when you brush, please call Elgin Family Dental so that we can arrange your next professional cleaning.