Gum and Teeth Care

Periodontics

You cannot build a secure house without a firm foundation and you can’t create a beautiful smile without a healthy periodontal foundation. That’s why we’re so thorough in evaluating, monitoring and treating at the very first sign of gum disease.

Periodontal simply means “the tissue around the teeth.”  Plaque and tartar buildup and the associated bacteria are the main causes of gum disease.

Unfortunately, periodontal-related problems are often discovered after they have persisted for an extended period of time. Proper daily oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups will minimize the risk of gum disease. Gum disease ranges from mild (gingivitis) to moderate (periodontitis) to the severe (periodontitis). Treatments are available at every stage of gum disease and with the most severe cases, we refer to a Periodontist – they specialize in the treatment and surgery of periodontal disease.

Teeth Cleaning

For a healthy mouth

Learn More

Periodontal Therapy

Scaling and other methods

Learn More

Gum Disease

What is it?

Learn More

Teeth Cleaning

Even with the best oral hygiene routine, it’s still possible for you to miss some bacteria that builds up on your teeth from when you eat or drink.  That small amount of bacteria can eventually develop into harmful plaque and tartar on your teeth with enough time. That’s why it’s so important to go see your dentist for your regularly scheduled appointments for a teeth cleaning.

A professional teeth cleaning with Smile Sarasota removes the buildup of plaque and tartar before it can cause issues like gum disease, or other problems throughout your body like heart disease or stroke.

Gum disease occurs when your immune system responds to the buildup in tartar and other bacteria in your mouth. As your immune system is staving off the bacteria, gum disease progresses and the tissues and bone in your mouth begin to degrade. This is why it’s recommended to get your teeth cleaned at least two or three times a year. Teeth cleanings will not only prevent gum disease, but also foster a healthy mouth and a healthy heart.

Periodontal Therapy

While teeth cleanings work to prevent gum disease, deep scaling, also known as Periodontal Therapy, works to stop the progress. If you have developed gum disease, dental scaling is a common method that’s used to hopefully slow down or stop further loss of bone and supporting structures. Dental scaling is done through both manual hand instruments and ultrasonic instruments.

Your dentist, Dr. Still, will start by performing a full examination of your mouth and measure the pockets around each tooth. Then, one of his hygienists will use an ultrasonic scaling device that will remove biofilm, plaque, and tartar that has accumulated on your teeth and beneath your gums. Any remaining bacteria will be scraped off manually with a hand instrument. Depending upon the severity of the gum disease, this process can take multiple visits.

Gum Disease

Common problems associated with gum disease:

  • “Long” teeth (receding gum lines expose the root portions of your teeth)
  • Discolored or deteriorating tooth structure
  • Gum depressions (holes in between the teeth in the gum tissue)
  • Infected gum line (discoloration or inflammation of the gum tissue)
  • Tooth loss or tooth movement

The effects of gum disease can be damaging to your dental health as well as your overall health. However, through proper preventive care and oral hygiene, you can avoid problems associated with gum disease. Please contact our office for a comprehensive examination so you can be sure to avoid unnecessary tooth loss. We have two great hygienists who provide periodontal therapies for those patients who may not need the services of a periodontal surgeon. If you have moderate to advanced periodontal disease, we will refer you to Periodontist for further treatment.

Contact Your Sarasota, FL Dentist Today!

If you have any questions or you would just like to learn more, please feel free to contact us and one of our friendly staff members will help you get the information you need. If you’re looking to get a teeth cleaning at Smile Sarasota, you can set up an appointment with us through our appointment request page or by giving us a call at (941) 957-3311. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthier smile.