When I first began practicing dentistry I made a commitment that I would do my very best to not only treat each patient with the best possible care, but use every opportunity to educate them on how to attain and maintain great oral health. One of the most common services we provide is what is known as a cleaning. So, for educational purposes, I would like to take a moment to explain the reason why we clean teeth in order to treat and prevent periodontal disease.
So often we hear from our patients that they want the “free cleaning” that their insurance pays for and unfortunately we cannot always do that. We would love to provide everyone their free cleaning because to us that would mean good periodontal (gum) health is present. Routine cleanings are indicated only when there is no clinical signs of active periodontal disease. This is not only the standard of care, but a legal requirement put forth by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners which provides the guidelines for which we as healthcare providers are required to abide by. In other words, if a patient has active gum disease and we do not recommend appropriate treatment for said condition then we are now in violation of the law and more importantly to the creed we adhere to as professionals.
Unfortunately, periodontal disease is often overlooked or just flat out neglected. The result? Loss of teeth. I have treated a significant number of patients for full dentures who have rarely had a cavity, but ended up losing their teeth to periodontal disease. It is our responsibility as your dental team to assess your individual dental health and to recommend what we feel is in your best interest to achieve and maintain a healthy mouth.
At your New Patient appointment we will make our diagnostic recommendations based on information and data gathered during the appointment. First, a full set of radiographs (x-rays) are taken followed by intra-oral digital pictures of your teeth, and finally a periodontal evaluation is completed. These measurements of your bone and gum tissue levels along with any signs of inflammation and bleeding allow us to assess what state of health is present in your mouth.
Generally if you have been regular with your cleanings and received proper care in the past, and have good home care, i.e. brushing and flossing, often a routine cleaning to prevent periodontal disease is all that is needed. However, there are times when the Dentist will have to make the recommendation to do a more extensive cleaning; this is known as Scaling/root planing or deep cleaning.
A few of the factors that help the Dentist determine if active periodontal disease is present and Scaling/root planing is the correct recommendation for you includes:
v Amount of tartar/calculus build up that can be seen on your x-rays and teeth
v Depth of your bone measurements (bone loss)
v Amount of bleeding when your gum tissue is touched
v Length of time since your last cleaning
v Other health issues that may be present (diabetes, auto immune diseases, heart problems)
v Medications that you may be taking
v Improper or lack of home care
v Genetic risk factor
Following periodontal disease treatment most people will require a tighter cleaning schedule of every 3-4 months in an effort to maintain a healthy state while others may be able to return to routine 6 month cleanings. Every person is unique and we will always recommend what is best for their individual needs.
Many thanks to one of our hygienist, Teresa Wilson, for her input on this blog. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email Teresa or Me!
drdavis@jeritdavisdds.com OR teresa@jeritdavisdds.com
