Getting your teeth cleaned every few months is a great way to keep your smile looking bright and healthy. However, gum disease can ruin that benefit.
When was the last time you visited the dentist? If it has been more than six months, then you might need more work down than just a regular cleaning. Getting your teeth cleaned every few months is a great way to keep your smile looking bright and healthy. However, gum disease can ruin that benefit. That’s why scaling and root planing is so important.
Why You Need It
Having dental anxiety is perfectly understandable. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to invite a friend or family member to come along and provide moral support. Although it sounds scary, scaling and root planing, also called SRP isn’t that terrifying an experience. Here at Annapolis Dental Care, we are proud to say that we treat reluctant patients with the utmost care. Plaque leads to gum disease, and one way to fight it is to clean the plaque off of your teeth, tongue, and gums.
The Procedure Itself
Early detection of gum disease is the key. If it isn’t found soon enough, that’s when your dentist will recommend SRP. It is a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar. The second step involves realigning the roots of your gums to reconnect them to your teeth.
One thing to note about the SRP procedure is that it could call for more than one appointment. Let your dentist know if you are sensitive to the effects of anesthesia. A local anesthetic makes the process easier since you won’t feel as much pain. However, this isn’t always the best solution for every patient. Either way your teeth and your gums will be completely cleaned and you will feel much better.
What to Do Next
Now let’s talk about tips for aftercare. You will feel some residual pain and teeth sensitivity. After such a deep cleaning, this is to be expected. Your dentist can prescribe you some medication or a mouth rinse to help ease your symptoms. Follow-up appointments will determine how effective the SRP was in treating your gum disease. Even so, you must take care to brush your teeth, use floss and mouthwash, improve your diet, and avoid all forms of tobacco.
KEEP YOUR MOUTH HAPPY WITH ANNAPOLIS DENTAL CARE!
Whether it’s a regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and give them the highest quality care. To set up an appointment today, please give us a call at 410-571-5014 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! We are always looking for new patients, so if you live in Arnold, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD, come on down!