Preventing Gum Disease

Run your tongue along the gumline behind your lower front teeth. Do you feel a ridge? This is probably tartar or dental calculus.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, plaque can harden into tartar and gradually accumulate. If not removed, it can cause the gums to become irritated and swollen. Eventually, the gums become detached from the tooth, creating a ‘pocket’. This creates a new space for plaque and tartar to grow. In advanced stages of periodontal disease, the toxins created by the bacteria literally rot the gum, teeth and bone.

At Uptown Dental Surgery , we perform the most thorough dental cleanings possible. Gum disease can be reversed in its early stages.

Our goal is to help our patients prevent gum disease before it starts. Cleanings include root planing and periodontal scaling. Scaling removes the plaque and calculus above and below the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. Planing smoothes root surfaces so it is more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate and grow. It also creates a healthy surface for the gums to reattach to the root if necessary.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but by brushing and flossing twice a day, and seeing us for regular checkups at the dentist, it can be prevented. We also treat gum recession. Other services include family dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.