Gum Treatments
Healthy gums are the key to a healthy smile. If you are concerned about your gums our award winning hygienist can advise you on a suitable course of treatment.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is imperative for healthy teeth and gums. This is achieved at home by regular brushing and flossing of the teeth combined with a healthy diet. If plaque is allowed to build up on the teeth it will form hard tartar (calculus) over time. This tartar cannot be removed by brushing and needs to be professionally cleaned. This tartar build up results in a number of problems including gum disease, caries (cavities) and bad breath.
Scale and Polish
A scale and polish is a routine cleaning generally carried out when you attend for a checkup. An ultrasonic cleaner is used to remove the build up of tartar from the teeth particularly around the gum line. The teeth are then polished to remove staining and smooth the surface of the teeth to prevent further build up. This treatment is usually sufficient for people with healthy gums or mild gum disease (Gingivitis).
Periodontal Treatment
In cases where the patient is suffering from more severe gum disease (Periodontitis) more extensive treatment from our hygienist Kelsie is required. This is known as root planing or curretage, and is basically an extension of the more usual scale and polish.
Kelsie will give your teeth a really deep clean, going below the gum line and clearing any pockets of plaque.This can be carried out under local anaesthetic if the pockets are particularly deep. This treatment may need to be carried out over a number of visits and then on a regular basis until the gums are returned to a healthy condition.
