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How Do Dentists Treat Gum Disease?

Gum disease is very hard to see in its early stages and you may not even know that there is a problem. However, every time you undergo a dental exam, your dentist will look for signs of gum disease. To measure where your gums attach to your teeth, your dentist may use a dental tool called a "periodontal probe". Healthy gums attach to teeth just below the edge of the gum, but it is a sign of gum disease if your gums attach to your teeth below this point. X-rays show how much bone is around your teeth, and getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better if you have gum disease.

What Happens If You Haven't Been to a Dentist in Years?

We understand that life can sometimes get in the way, and you may have forgot to book your dental checkup and cleaning for a while. Here is what to expect if you haven't seen your dentist is awhile:

1. Gum Bleeding

When our hygienist starts to floss, it can cause your gums to bleed. Gums bleed as they may not be used to the pressure of floss as it moves between your teeth.

2. Extended Cleaning

You have probably accrued an extensive amount of plaque on the surfaces of your teeth, due to this your hygienist may do an extended cleaning to professionally clean each tooth.

3. Dental X-rays

These are important, as it helps your dentist to diagnose any oral health needs that need to be reviewed. Any underlying problems not seen with the eye originally will be brought to light with a dental x-ray.

4. Comprehensive Oral Exam

After the cleaning, the dentist will carefully inspect for cavities, signs of periodontal disease and oral cancer.