Regular dental cleanings and exams are done to help maintain your dental health, just like a regular checkup at the doctor is done to monitor your overall health. These cleanings remove bacteria buildup, allow us to catch problems early and aid in the prevention of dental diseases.
Sometimes, things change in our mouth, just as they do in our body. This can be due to a slow disease process, inadequate homecare (like flossing), oral bacteria changes, general hormonal changes, aging, or medications. Even with regular checkups, we can one day develop periodontal disease, just like we can still develop high blood pressure. Our goal is to catch the disease process early and treat it, before lasting damage is done.
Deep cleaning are needed when signs of periodontal disease are present. These signs may include swollen or bleeding gums, bone loss, heavy buildup, and deep pockets. When these signs are present, we are no longer looking to maintain your dental health at the current level. We have an active disease that needs to be treated. Without treatment, the disease process will continue and we can end up with tooth loss.