Prevention for Better Periodontal Health

As the building blocks of dental plaque and tartar, oral bacteria thrive in the environment created by poor hygiene and/or inadequate routine dental care. In excess, some can lead to inflammation, irritation, and recession of your gums—an infection commonly known as gingivitis. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontal disease, which can destroy your gums, periodontal tissues, and the jawbones that support your teeth.

Supportive Periodontal Maintenance (SPT)

Supportive periodontal maintenance is provided to periodontal patients to clean teeth and help prevent further attachment loss. The frequency of treatment is determined on an individual basis, but is often provided every three months. This treatment takes the place of a dental prophylaxis, or dental cleaning, which is reserved for healthy patients without a history of periodontal disease or attachment loss. The hygienist thoroughly cleans away deposits of plaque and tartar from on and between your teeth, and along your gum line, to prevent plaque-related issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Scaling and Root Planing (Periodontal Cleaning)

Periodontal deep cleaning (or scaling and root planing) involves cleaning the bacterial deposits that have worked their way onto your teeth roots, underneath your gums. After the roots of your teeth are free of bacteria, they are smoothed, or “planed” making it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to them. Dr. Kania may administer local anesthesia to numb the gums and surrounding area, and in some cases, a complete periodontal cleaning may require more than one visit to complete.

Ozone Therapy

Ozone therapy, or oxygen therapy, has been utilized for years as a sterilization/purification process. In the case of dental and periodontal health, ozone therapy helps boost your preventive efforts by neutralizing harmful anaerobic oral bacteria. Ozone therapy is often an effective and minimally invasive addition to routine periodontal care, and can help combat tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease.

Schedule a Preventive Consultation

Prevention is the best medicine for your periodontal health, and we offer a variety of services designed to maximize your efforts at avoiding periodontal disease. To learn more, schedule a preventive consultation with Dr. Kania and our team by calling our periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.