Keeping your gums healthy is an important part of maintaining your oral health—and your overall health as well. Advanced gum disease, also known as periodontitis, affects 47.2% of adults in the US. Not only is it the leading cause of tooth loss, but it also increases the likelihood of developing serious health conditions such as diabetes and stroke. While brushing and flossing do help to keep your gums healthy, sometimes deeper cleaning is needed. If you show signs of gum disease, your dentist may recommend periodontal cleaning. Here’s what you need to know.
What is periodontal cleaning?
During routine dental cleanings, the dentist cleans the part of your teeth that sits above the gumline. Periodontal disease, however, involves the buildup of plaque and tartar below the gumline, creating pockets between the teeth and gums. These pockets are unreachable with a toothbrush and floss, so deep cleaning is necessary for keeping those pockets free of harmful bacteria.
Periodontal cleaning, also known as deep cleaning, involves the removal of plaque and tartar down the entire length of the tooth above and below the gumline. This part of the procedure is called subgingival cleaning, and it’s followed by root planing, which smooths the tooth root deep below the gum, making it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to the teeth. Periodontal cleaning also involves irrigation of these pockets with an antibiotic or antimicrobial medication to promote quick healing. In some cases, patients are also prescribed an oral antibiotic medication.
How often should you have periodontal cleaning
Although routine teeth cleaning is generally recommended twice a year, deep cleaning should be done every three or four months. One of the differences between the two is that routine teeth cleaning is considered preventative care. Periodontal cleaning, on the other hand, is a treatment to control periodontal disease. Once the bacteria have been eliminated by way of the deep cleaning, they will come back, and after three to four months they’ll begin to do damage. The periodontal maintenance program in Tijuana is designed to eliminate the bacteria before they harm the structure of your teeth and gums.
Benefits of regular periodontal cleaning
When it comes to maintaining optimal oral health, your gums play a significant role. The better shape your gums are in, the more likely you are to keep your smile radiant and strong for a long time. Here are some of the benefits of regular periodontal cleaning:
- Prevents the onset or advancement of gum disease
- Prevents tooth loss
- Improves chronic bad breath
- Lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke
To maximize the benefits, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene between periodontal cleanings. Be sure to brush twice daily, floss every day, and follow your dentist’s recommendations.
Affordable, high quality periodontal cleaning in Mexico
Many insurance plans will only cover two routine dental cleanings per year, so the cost for any additional cleanings has to come out of pocket. In the US, that means an average of $135 per quadrant. So if you have all four quadrants done, that’s $540. At BioDental Care, however, we charge only $75 per quadrant. For a full periodontal cleaning, that’s a $300 savings! And it’s easy and convenient to get to us—we’re right across the border, minutes away from downtown San Diego. For more information on perio maintenance at BioDental Care, give us a call at (619) 754-8508 today.
