A routine dental cleaning, or prophylaxis, is the most common form of professional dental care, and should be conducted at least once every six months on healthy patients. Patients who are especially at risk for dental disease, may require more frequent visits to improve the state of their oral health. If no disease is present, a prophylaxis can help maintain a smile’s good health by removing all traces of bacteria, plaque, and tartar from teeth’s surfaces.
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, describes a bacterial infection that causes gum tissue to separate from teeth. Certain mouth germs fool the body’s immune system, causing excessive inflammation in the sensitive gum tissues. Left unchecked,this inflammation can progress into full-blown and highly-destructive periodontal disease. If early signs of gum disease are detected, Dr. Kania can often control the infection with advanced periodontal maintenance, and help patients maintain their healthy smiles with regular supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). Disease causing pathogens tend to re-populate the periodontal pocket within 90 days. This is one of these reasons that a 3 month visit is recommended for some patients. Aside from thoroughly cleaning bacteria from underneath the gum line, SPT may also involve site-specific therapy, therapeutic mouthrinse, and/or advanced gum treatment with lasers or antimicrobials.
As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania is specially qualified to diagnose and treat issues concerning periodontal tissue and the supportive structures of a patient’s smile. To seek Dr. Kania’s expertise, contact us at (760) 642-0711, or visit our Encinitas periodontist’s office.
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