Tag: dental cleanings in berwyn

Reliable Dentist In Berwyn Offering Advanced Dental Cleaning Services

Taking care of your oral health goes beyond just brushing and flossing. Regular dental cleanings are crucial for preventing gum disease and maintaining a healthy smile. But sometimes, more than a standard cleaning is needed. That’s where advanced teeth cleaning comes in.

This blog post from your friendly dentist in Berwyn IL will delve into advanced dental cleaning, its benefits, and how it can significantly improve your oral health.

What is Advanced Dental Cleaning?

Unlike a regular cleaning that focuses on removing plaque and tartar buildup above the gum line, advanced teeth cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, tackles deeper issues. Here’s how it works:

Scaling: Using specialized instruments, a dentist in Berwyn removes hardened plaque and tartar (calculus) from below the gum line (pockets) where regular brushing can’t reach.

Root Planing: This process smoothens rough surfaces on tooth roots, making it harder for plaque to adhere in the future.

Signs You Might Need an Advanced Cleaning From Your Dentist Berwyn 

Here are some indicators that you might benefit from an advanced cleaning:

Bleeding gums: This is a common sign of gum inflammation, a precursor to gum disease.

Receding gums: Gums pulling away from the teeth expose the root surface, increasing sensitivity and risk of infection.

Persistent bad breath: Regular brushing and flossing don’t eliminate the odor.

Loose teeth: Advanced gum disease can loosen teeth due to bone loss.

Benefits of Advanced Dental Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning

While regular cleanings are essential for preventive care, advanced cleaning offers additional benefits:

Combats gum disease: It removes bacteria deep below the gum line, preventing the progression of gum disease.

Improves oral health: By removing plaque and tartar buildup, it reduces inflammation and promotes gum health.

Freshens breath: Eliminating bacteria that cause bad breath leads to a fresher mouth.

Prevents tooth loss: Combating gum disease preserves the bone supporting your teeth, preventing tooth loss.

The Process of Advanced Cleaning at Our Berwyn Dental Practice

Here’s what you can expect during an advanced cleaning at your Berwyn dentist appointment:

Consultation and Examination: The dentist will discuss your concerns and examine your gums for signs of gum disease.

Local Anesthetic: A topical anesthetic may be applied to numb the area for a more comfortable experience.

Scaling and Root Planing: Using specialized tools, the dentist removes plaque and tartar buildup and smoothens tooth root surfaces.

Antibiotics (Optional): In severe cases of gum disease, antibiotics might be prescribed to combat infection.

Review and Aftercare Instructions: The dentist will discuss next steps and provide instructions on maintaining oral hygiene after the procedure.

How Often Should I Get Advanced Dental Cleanings from My Dentist Berwyn?

The frequency of advanced cleanings depends on your gum health.  Your dentist Berwyn will recommend a schedule based on the severity of your gum disease. Generally, patients with mild to moderate gum disease might require them every 3-6 months, while those with severe gum disease might need them more frequently.

Advanced Cleaning vs. Periodontal Treatment: What’s the Difference?

Advanced Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planning): 

This is a deep cleaning procedure used for preventative measures or to treat mild to moderate gum disease.  Also known as prophylaxis (prophy) for deep cleaning, it removes plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line and smooths tooth root surfaces to prevent future bacterial attachment.  Think of it as a more intensive version of regular cleaning, reaching deeper to halt the progression of gum disease in its early stages.

Periodontal Treatment:

This encompasses a wider range of procedures used to treat advanced gum disease (periodontitis).  When gum disease progresses, it can lead to bone loss around the teeth. Periodontal treatment aims to:

  • Control infection: This might involve scaling and root planing, along with antibiotic therapy to combat severe bacterial growth.
  • Remove inflamed tissue: In some cases, removing a small amount of infected gum tissue might be necessary to improve access for cleaning and promote healing.
  • Regenerate bone loss (if possible): For moderate bone loss, specialized procedures can encourage new bone growth to support the teeth.
  • Gum surgery: In severe cases with significant bone loss, gum surgery might be needed to reshape gum tissue, improve access for cleaning, and potentially cover exposed tooth roots.

Your dentist Berwyn will determine the most appropriate treatment based on your individual needs.

Will Advanced Dental Cleaning Hurt?

While some discomfort is possible during the procedure, your trusted dentist in Berwyn IL will strive to make the experience as comfortable as possible using local anesthesia and gentle techniques.

You might experience some tenderness following the procedure, but this usually subsides within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage any discomfort.

Maintaining Healthy Teeth & Gums After Your Advanced Cleaning

Following your advanced dental cleaning in Berwyn IL, practicing good oral hygiene habits is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums:

  • Brushing: Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
  • Flossing: Flossing daily to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth.
  • Maintaining a healthy diet: Limiting sugary foods and drinks helps prevent plaque buildup.
  • Regular Checkups: Scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist Berwyn for ongoing monitoring and preventive care.

By prioritizing good oral hygiene and visiting your Berwyn dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, you can ensure a healthy smile for years to come. If you have any questions or concerns about advanced cleanings or your gum health, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your friendly dentist in Berwyn.

6 Reasons Why Regular Dental Cleanings Are Important

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “You are what you eat.” Well, the same can be said for your teeth. If you don’t take care of your teeth, they’ll decay and become infected. If that happens, you could end up with a mouth full of cavities, gum disease or other problems related to your oral health. Dental cleanings can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and some forms of oral cancers. They will also help keep your mouth in shape by preventing infections and keeping plaque off your teeth. Eating right and getting regular dental cleanings can help prevent these issues from happening in the first place.

Here are 6 reasons why regular dental cleanings are important:

1. Prevents gum disease

Gum disease is a common problem that affects more than 90 percent of adults over the age of 25. It’s caused by plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and gums. Plaque is a substance that forms when bacteria feed off food and drink left on your teeth for too long. Tartar is hardened plaque, which can be removed by brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least once daily.

2. Prevents cavities

Cavities are caused by acid from plaque or other substances eating away at the tooth enamel and mineralizing into spaces between teeth called pits or fissures in your enamel. This leads to cavities as well as pain, sensitivity, bad breath and tooth loss over time if left untreated.

3. Prevents gum recession

Gum recession is a serious problem because it can cause loose gums as they pull back from the tooth surface, exposing the root surfaces of your teeth. When you see your dentist every six months, your dentist can perform an oral examination to check for any existing fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, root canals, or prosthetics; make a note of any missing, chipped, broken, or decayed teeth that need attention; check for early signs of throat or mouth cancer; assess your jaw joint for signs of TMD, and more.

4. Reduces the Risk of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common oral health problem that occurs when gums become inflamed and swollen due to poor oral hygiene habits like neglecting your gums or brushing too hard with hard bristles on your toothbrush or toothpaste (tartar). Reducing this inflammation helps protect against future periodontal disease.

5. Prevents tooth decay

Teeth are made of hard material, but they’re not impervious to damage. Any injury to the outer enamel layer of your teeth will cause them to become vulnerable to cavities and infections. The most common cause of tooth decay is bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. When you eat or drink something containing sugar, bacteria produce acid that attacks the enamel layer and causes decay.

6. Eliminates Plaque Buildup

Plaque is a biofilm that forms on the surfaces of our teeth. It contains plaque bacteria, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque also causes bad breath because it collects food particles in between your teeth where they become sticky and hard to remove with brushing or flossing alone. Regular dental cleanings help to remove plaque buildup from between your teeth so that food particles aren’t trapped there anymore!

CONCLUSION

Just remember that if you brush your teeth and floss frequently, you shouldn’t have any problem making regular dental cleanings a part of your routine. However, if you do happen to miss a few, it is also critical that you get them done as soon as possible. By having your mouths professionally cleaned every few months you can potentially prevent damage to your gums and teeth and keep them at optimal health level.

Visit our Berwyn dentist and get started with your regular dental cleanings today.