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(281) 516-8575
Preventive dentistry if your foundation for a healthy smile. With regular cleanings and exams, small dental issues can be caught before they turn into large and costly problems. Preventive dental care along with a diligent at-home brushing and flossing routine can help prevent dental issues all together. It’s these small investments in your oral hygiene that lead to a beautiful, healthy smile.
Dental plaque is made up of more than 300 different types of bacteria.
Regular flossing allows you to clean an additional 40% of your tooth surface.
Over 90% of American adults have had a cavity at some point in their lives.
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Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults of all ages, and seniors in particular. Prevention and proper treatment are both essential for preserving your teeth, so schedule your appointment today.
To begin the process, Dr. O’Shea will need to perform a periodontal exam at Academy Dental Care to determine the extent and severity of your gum disease. Depending on the results, a variety of treatments may be recommended, but the most common is deep cleaning (scaling & root planing).
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Depending on the situation, this may take place after your consultation or at a separate appointment. Dr. O’Shea will numb your mouth, then use a variety of special dental tools to clean between your gums and your teeth. He will eliminate bacteria and smooth the tooth roots to halt or reverse the progression of gum disease. Half of your mouth will be treated at each appointment.
Typically, you’ll be sent home to rest and recover, and you’ll get oral antibiotics and/or prescription mouthwash to fight back against bacteria. Lifestyle changes are often also recommended, like watching your diet, controlling your diabetes, or quitting smoking.
You will need to come back in about two weeks to get your second deep cleaning from Dr. Thomas O’Shea. Then, you’ll go home to rest and recover. Depending on your situation, you may need further treatments or even oral surgeries, or you may simply need to come back for periodic “periodontal maintenance” appointments to maintain your oral health.
You may be a bit confused about the terms “gingivitis” and “periodontal disease.” Is there really a difference between the two? The answer is “yes.”
Gingivitis is a specific term that’s used to refer to the first stage of periodontal disease. If you have early-stage gum disease, you have “gingivitis” rather than “periodontitis,” which is a term used to refer to more advanced types of gum disease.
The difference between the two is that gingivitis does not cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums. It is fully reversible. With proper dental treatment, at-home oral care, and lifestyle changes, you can completely eliminate it.
In more advanced cases of periodontal disease (periodontitis), this is not possible. Your gum disease can be treated and controlled, and its progression can be halted indefinitely. But it can never be completely eliminated. You will need to continue getting regular periodontal care for the rest of your life.
This is why it’s so important to see a dentist right away if you think you have gum disease. The sooner your treatment, the more likely it is that your gum disease won’t just be halted, but can be completely reversed and eliminated.
Over 90% of American adults have had a cavity at some point in their lives.
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