Periodontal Care
Covington, WA
Periodontal Care provided by Kyle S. Blair, DDS
in Covington, WA at Covington Family Dental
Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the United States. Millions of people have this condition and here at Covington Family Dental we take your oral health seriously, and we want to be partners in your care to help you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.
What is Periodontal Disease?Our team has the training and expertise to treat this common condition to prevent further damage to your gums and teeth. They are also trained in non-surgical treatments for the disease and teeth replacement procedures.
Your teeth are held snugly in place by the gums. The bacteria produce plaque, that yellowish residue that sticks to your teeth along the gumline, which can lead to gum disease. This condition develops when patients skip routine cleanups, and we don’t have a chance to clean the plaque accumulations with scaling.
If you allow the plaque to continue to build up, it will start to grow under the gumline and eventually separate the gums from the teeth creating pockets where infection can develop. This happens over time with improper oral hygiene and lack of professional dental care.
Proper Periodontal CareThere are many things you can do to maintain appropriate periodontal care, especially if you have already been diagnosed with periodontal disease or if you have early-stage gum disease. Some underlying conditions can make a person more prone to the disease and therefore it’s important to share your medical history with us.| • |
Good oral hygiene starts at home. To protect your gums from periodontal disease, you must brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day or after every meal and floss at least once per day.
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Routine cleanings. You must come for routine cleanings and dental exams at least twice per year. During these appointments, we will scale your teeth with special tools and then polish them to leave them feeling smooth.
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Teeth scaling. Each time you come for a routine cleaning, our hygienist will perform scaling of your teeth to get rid of plaque buildup. Avoiding this process can cause periodontal disease. It’s essential that you do not skip your dental cleanings so that we can remove any excess plaque.
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Root planing. It is a process in which we clean the rough surface of the roots of your teeth where bacteria and plaque can grow. This treatment can take a couple of visits, depending on how much buildup you have. |
Some patients with aggressive plaque production will require more frequent visits to keep the buildup under control. Also, patients who smoke are at a higher risk for periodontal disease, and we monitor their dental health closely.
Periodontal care is essential for your overall oral health, and we encourage you to keep your regular bi-annual appointments to avoid any additional problems with your gums. Call Covington Family Dental at 253.499.6155 today to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning. Even if it has been a few years since your last visit, it’s never too late to take care of your teeth. |
