At the Smile Salon and Day Spa we are committed to not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Studies have shown that gum disease is linked to other health problems like cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and alzheimer’s. Hence, we believe that is it very important to take care of your gums.
If you have bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, reseeding gums or teeth that look “long” , those may be indications that you have a form of gum disease. We offer both prophylaxis for gingivitis and comprehensive gum infection therapy to combat gum disease for our patients.
At your initial appointment, our dental hygienists will assess and measure your gum and underlying bone health. Once x-rays and measurements are taken, we will make a personalized recommendation on how to proceed with your gum care. This can range from a routine prophylaxis (cleaning) in the presence of healthy gums, to a gingivitis prophylaxis in the presence of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) , or comprehensive gum infection therapy (scaling and root planning) in the presence of periodontitis (inflammation of the gums and bone loss). In the presence of periodontitis, you will no longer receive regular dental cleanings. We will first perform gum infection therapy. During this one or two visit procedure, the mouth is numbed and we remove plaque, tarter, and bacteria from the tooth and root surfaces. We will also flush the gums with a prescription strength antibacterial rinse. We will need to see you more frequently for periodontal maintenance, first at 4-to 6 weeks after gum infection therapy, then every 3 to 4 months thereafter—for life. Periodontal Maintenance takes the place of your routine cleanings.
Most adults who suffer from tooth loss do not lose their teeth due to cavities, but rather lose them due to gum disease. Let us help you keep your teeth. If you have not seen a dentist in a while and think you may have signs of gum disease, we encourage you to call our office at 816.931.2191 to make an appointment today.