Preventative Dental Care
We here at Rosa Dental, located in midtown Sacramento, live by the philosophy that prevention is an important part of great dental care that is often overlooked. We do take the time to educate our patients on how to stop a problem before it happens.
Because most adults have experienced tooth decay, we recommend twice a year dental appointments for a dental check and cleaning. Patients are taught how to brush and floss correctly so they can be consistent in their home care to prevent the plaque and bacteria that cause decay.
Poor oral hygiene, including not brushing or flossing regularly, usually leads to bad breath can also be a sign of early-stage gum disease, so it is vital that people have regular cleanings and be committed to good home dental care.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease: We want to help all patients avoid gum disease because this is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. People with gum disease are also more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses. However, if you establish the habit of good dental home care and regular checking and cleaning dental appointments, you can avoid this serious condition.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the disease. If the disease progresses as the pocket between the tooth and gums gets filled with tartar, bacteria, or plaque, it causes irritation to the surrounding tissue. When these remain, they cause gum damage which eventually affects the bone that supports the teeth.
Advanced disease means a periodontal cleanup is needed; this is called a scaling and planing (deep cleaning). While the gum is numbed, scaling is the removal of the irritants above and below the gum line. The planing is smoothing the root surface rough spots. This procedure helps pockets to shrink and gum tissue to heal. To control the infection and the healing, medications, rinses, and electric toothbrushes may be needed.
Oral Exam- New patients receive a comprehensive examination which includes a screening for oral cancer, gum and bone disease, blood pressure, and systemicdisorders. A routine oral exam is performed on established patients to determine any changes in dental and health status since the previous visit.
Your gum tissue is measured with a fine instrument ruler to calibrate in millimeters pocket depth between the tooth and connective gum tissue around the tooth. Pocket depths more than 4 millimeters are serious because the deeper the pocket, the greater the extent plaque bacteria collects, causing infection or gum disease.
X-Rays are taken as needed. Tooth scaling and root planning occur as needed. Routine cleanings also include a professional polishing (Prophy) that removes only the soft, sticky plaque above the gum line.
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