deep cleaning in arlington va

How often should I schedule deep teeth cleanings?

It depends on what stage your periodontitis has reached, but we will likely want to see you more often than twice per year. Deep cleanings can also be divided into several appointments so patients won’t have to sit in the dental chair for hours, and their gums won’t be as sore. The gums may be divided into thirds or quadrants, and each section will be carefully cleaned. ARESTIN® may be applied to continue killing harmful bacteria in the gums until the next deep cleaning as well.

periodontal cleaning in arlington, va

What does periodontal treatment involve?

There are two main treatments that are performed during a periodontal deep cleaning. Once the gums have been numbed with a topical anesthetic, the built-up plaque and tartar that has developed in the gum pockets is expertly scraped away. After the gum pockets are cleared out, root planing must be done to smooth out the tooth roots and help the gums reattach to the front of the teeth. We will also examine your teeth and jaws during these visits to see if they are being affected by periodontitis or any other dental issues.

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What happens if periodontal disease goes untreated?

We understand that periodontal maintenance is not particularly fun, but it is incredibly important to stay on top of your periodontal treatments once periodontitis develops. If left untreated, periodontal disease will only continue to spread, and it can cause jawbone loss and tooth loss. Since it is an infection, periodontal disease can also spread and lead to other non-dental related issues, like heart disease. The best thing you can do is to follow the custom treatment plan created by your dentist to ensure that your teeth and gums stay as healthy as possible.

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