Preventing Gum Disease: Why Deep Cleaning is Important

With only one set of natural teeth, it is important that you brush your teeth twice a day, use mouthwash, and floss after every meal, as instructed by your dentist. By practicing good dental hygiene habits, you can keep your smile healthy and strong. Depending on your food and drink choices, tobacco use or overall health, brushing and flossing may not be enough to keep your gums in perfect health.

While your at-home dental routine is very important, your toothbrush and floss can only do so much when it comes to cleaning below the gum line, particularly once plaque has hardened into tartar. In order to prevent gum disease and tooth loss, you need to have regular visits with your dentist to keep plaque and tartar. For some patients, a deeper, more involved cleaning will be necessary to encourage healthy smiles.

What is a Deep Cleaning? 

Also referred to as a scaling and root planning, deep cleanings are recommended for patients suffering from gingivitis or more advanced forms of gum disease. Scaling is a treatment method that removes plaque from the surface of your teeth and below the gum line where periodontal pockets have formed. This can be done manually, or with ultrasonic instruments. Root planning is when the dental hygienist goes in and removes plaque or tarter from the surface of your tooth roots.

Depending on how many quadrants, or sections, of your mouth need deep cleaning, your treatment may take place over a span of two visits.  The dentist may also prescribe an antibiotic to kill any lingering bacteria. When combined with a deep cleaning, antibiotics can speed up healing and decrease the risk of the continued progression of gum disease symptoms.

Don’t Fear the Dentist

Many people put off visiting the dentist for regular cleanings because they are afraid or embarrassed about the condition of their smile. However, failure to undergo regular cleanings can have negative impacts on your overall dental health. Gum disease is only reversible in its earliest stage and if you have been avoiding the dentist, you may end up needing more extensive care to treat your condition. Your hygienist is trained to provide gentle care and to maximize comfort during deep cleanings.

Make an Appointment Today

Routine dental cleanings promote oral health and wellness through preventative measures and early detection to limit additional dental work. Contact your San Marcos dentist at Grandon Village Dental Office to schedule an appointment that will improve your smile. 

Sedation Dentistry- What Method is Best for You?

Do you have trouble relaxing at the dentist? Does a fear of the dental chair keep you from making regular appointments? If any of these behaviors sound familiar, you may be one of the many Americans suffering from dental fear or anxiety. For these individuals, sedation dentistry offers an effective option for alleviating feeling of anxiety while in the dental chair.

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help nervous patients relax and to improve overall patient comfort during dental procedures. It can be used for virtually any dental procedure, from in-depth procedures to routine cleanings.

Nitrous Gas versus Oral Sedation

There are different levels of sedation used by medical professionals, each of which are recommended based on the patient’s need and the extent of their upcoming procedure. At Grandon Village Dental, your San Marcos dentist offers two types of sedation- nitrous gas and an oral sedative.

Nitrous Gas- More popularly known as “laughing gas,” this sedative option is breathed in through a mask.  Nitrous oxide is very relaxing, and your dentist can control the intensity of the sedation. As this option does wear off fairly quickly, it is the only form of sedation where most patients are able to drive themselves home after the procedure.

Oral Sedation- The strength of your oral sedative can range from minimal to moderate strength. Our San Marcos dental office offers Halcion administered in pill form. This medication is very similar to valium, and is taken an hour before the procedure takes place. Oral sedation does tend to make patients drowsy and relaxed, however patients stay awake for their entire procedure. As a result, we have patients enlist the help of a family member or friend to drive them to our practice before and after their procedure.

Sedation dentistry is perfect for patients who have a genuine fear of the dentist, have a low pain tolerance, have sensitive teeth, or have an overactive gag reflex.

Make an Appointment!

Don’t let your anxiety get the best of you! Regular dental appointments are very important, so don’t let a fear of dental procedures make you avoid them. Contact us today at Grandon Village Dental Office and we will talk over sedation options for your next visit!