Periodontics is the treatment of diseases and conditions that afflict the support structure of teeth. This includes the gums, tooth ligaments, and bone tissue in your jaw. These are susceptible to just as many things as your teeth are, and you need a properly trained periodontist to treat them. Unclean or improperly cleaned teeth can have plaque build-up, and that leads to gingivitis. Clinical gingivitis leads to periodontitis, and that causes loss of bone tissue in the jaw. That twice daily recommended cleaning doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?

Your regularly scheduled dental appointments will include more rigorous cleanings designed to get the stuff you can’t always prevent on your own. Dentists use a method called scaling and root planing to remove plaque, build-up, and dental calculus. No, not that high-brow math you’re afraid of, but you should be just as afraid of this gunk. Without regular cleaning, plaque turns hard and more difficult to remove. That’s dental calculus. Your dentist will use a tool called a hand scaler, most of which are now powered with ultrasonic technology. The vibrations emitted by these advanced tools help break down bacterial cell membranes to ensure plaque is thoroughly removed. A hand scaler may still be used to collect what was left behind by the ultrasonic one.

Gingivitis that advances to periodontitis involves plaque that builds up beneath the gum line. More sophisticated sonic tools are used to create vibrations and break down these unwanted deposits. Regular flossing and use of anti-bacterial mouthwash can help keep your gums from reaching this state, though.

Happy teeth are healthy teeth! Whether you suspect that you have a periodontal disease or not, a dental cleaning keeps your mouth in tip-top condition. Call us today to set up an appointment!