Gum disease strikes more than half of all American adults. This infection does not go away without professional dental intervention. If you suspect that you have early stages of gingivitis or if you are living with full-blown periodontal disease, reach out to Downtown Dental in Los Angeles, CA, to get help from Dr. Don Mungcal and his experienced team. You can have a healthy mouth again after deep teeth cleaning.
What Is a Deep Teeth Cleaning?
Deep teeth cleaning is sometimes referred to as teeth scaling and root planing, but no matter what you call it, this soft tissue management treatment is the most common way to address early gum disease. Here’s how it works:
- Apply local anesthesia: Gums are numbed to minimize discomfort.
- Remove bacteria: The plaque and tartar built up below the gumline are removed to stop bacteria from growing and spreading.
- Smooth the enamel: Bumpy surfaces attract plaque more easily so these areas of enamel are smoothed out.
Deep teeth cleaning is simple and straightforward, but it can be time-consuming depending on how far your gum disease goes. Both manual and laser therapy can be used to scrape away the buildup around the gumline and create an area that can begin to heal and start fresh.
Be prepared for swollen, sensitive gums and minor bleeding after deep teeth cleaning, but be reassured that this temporary discomfort is a small price to pay for a mouth that is now infection-free and no longer moving in stages toward serious periodontal disease and tooth loss.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
During regular teeth cleanings every six months, your dental hygienist focuses on the teeth above the gum line. These cleanings are non-invasive and help keep gum disease at bay if you’re also doing your part at home to maintain a good oral hygiene routine.
If you want to avoid gum disease or the need for deep teeth cleaning:
- See your dentist twice a year for teeth cleanings, more often if recommended.
- Brush twice daily and floss at least once daily at home.
- Do not use tobacco products.
- Contact your dentist immediately if you have any pain, swelling, bleeding, or other discomfort.
If you do find yourself diagnosed with gingivitis and undergoing a deep teeth cleaning, once the procedure is complete, the work is not over. You will have to be diligent about keeping your gums healthy and your mouth free of build-up of plaque, bacteria, and tartar. Extra visits to your dentist will create an opportunity to see if your mouth is healing properly and identify whether gum disease has returned. Your dentist will also measure the pockets around your teeth to make sure they are getting smaller.
Identify Gum Disease Early
If you’ve never had gum disease, it isn’t always easy to identify that you’re suffering from this problem. The symptoms are not obvious at first – but an expert like your dentist or hygienist can absolutely recognize the problem right away. Signs of the most advanced gum disease include the following:
- Swollen gums
- Red gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Tender gums
- Gums pulled away from the teeth
- Loose teeth
If you exhibit any of these symptoms, especially multiple symptoms, deep teeth cleaning will be recommended to prevent gum disease from advancing.
Some patients are predisposed to gum problems because of DNA, the medications they take, or health conditions, but for everyone else, the complication is almost always avoidable. Simply make your oral health a priority and always take good care of your teeth.
Schedule a Deep Teeth Cleaning in Los Angeles
If you are concerned that you may have early gum disease, or if it’s time to schedule an overdue appointment, contact Downtown Dental in Los Angeles to make your appointment for a deep teeth cleaning.
Dr. Don Mungcal
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Dr. Don Mungcal, a distinguished dentist in Los Angeles, combines over three decades of experience with a deep commitment to patient care. A UCLA graduate, he earned his dental degree with honors from the University of the Pacific Dental School in 1990. Dr. Mungcal has been recognized as a Best Dentist in Downtown by the “Los Angeles Downtown News” for four years in a row and served as an instructor at USC Dental School. As an active member of the California Dental Society, among other prestigious organizations, he continually updates his expertise through extensive continuing education.
