Teeth Cleanings and Hygiene Education
Proper dental hygiene reduces your risk of developing cavities and helps prevent gum disease. This is why we have two excellent dental hygienists that will take their time to address your needs, answer any questions, and review proper home care at each recare appointment. It is hard to overstate the importance of proper home care. We generally see patients for 2-4 cleaning/hygiene appointments per year depending on need. This is why Breena and Tereasa will coach you on how to effectively care for your teeth for the other 363 days of the year.
Dental Exams in Our Franklin Clinic
Aside from routine cleaning and hygiene education, we also do a comprehensive exam at each recare appointment, offer fluoride treatment, and treatment of the early stages of periodontal disease.
Gum Disease Prevention
Periodontal disease (gum disease) occurs as a result of inflammation from retained plaque and tartar. It starts with gingivitis, which is often associated with bleeding of the gums following brushing. Gingivitis is reversible with treatment and proper home care. It is important to form good hygiene habits as early as possible because untreated inflammation can lead to a loss of the supporting bone around the teeth. At this point, gingivitis turns into periodontitis. As supporting bone is lost around the teeth, pockets form between the gum tissue and teeth that harbor bacteria and tartar.
Deep Cleanings
Treatment of early stages of gum disease is accomplished by a “deep cleaning” called a scaling and root planing. The goal is to remove the bacteria and tartar trapped in the deep pockets, reduce inflammation and subsequently get resolution of the pockets. Following periodontal treatment patients are generally recommended to come in more frequently for recare appointments to monitor for potential progression of the disease. We screen our patients for periodontal disease and will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the disease, prevention and treatment.