Category: Blog

If you visit your dental hygienist every 6 months for routine cleaning and plaque removal as is recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) you know that the routine helps keep your teeth from building up any substantial problems with plaque and tartar. This is done to keep the gums and teeth healthy. If how you have severe symptoms of gum disease, however, a procedure called scaling and planning may be needed to help further cleanse the mouth from harmful bacteria. When is Scaling & Planning Recommended?

Scaling and planning are used to the teeth to prevent periodontal disease from developing. In fact, this procedure is sometimes just simply known as “deep cleaning”. This is considered the “gold standard” to help many patients suffering from a periodontal disease from allowing the disease to get any more advanced according to the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice.

Normally healthy gum tissue is tight around the tooth, and the McCarl Dental Group recommends that healthy gums should be about 1 to 3 millimeters thick. However, bacterial plaque and buildup around the teeth can cause periodontal disease to develop in the deep pockets of the gums. Your dentist may recommend you for scaling and planning as a first treatment to help treat periodontal disease.

Like a Splinter from a Finger:

Scaling and planning will either be done by a hygienist or your dentist. Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease it may take more than one appointment to fully complete the scaling and planning of the entire mouth. It’s comparable to having an irritating splinter removed from a finger. It’s not going to be painful per say, but it’s not a comfortable procedure either. The smoothly rooted gums will regrow themselves and be able to reattach to the teeth again to ensure further plaque avoids getting into the gums in the future.

After the Procedure:

You will need to go to the dentist for a follow-up appointment after the gums heal to check the deep pockets in the gum tissue again. This allows the dentist to ensure that all of the plaque was effectively removed from the gum line and that no further work needs to be done. The good news is that most tissue that was red and irritated will grow back pink and firm. If the gum tissue responds well and returns healthy you may need no further treatment.

However, more advanced periodontal diseases may require more treatment. Sometimes this includes surgical interventions to stop the progressions of bone loss. However, scaling and planning can still help require a less invasive procedure later on and has its place even in the worst cases of periodontal disease.

Periodontal Maintenance:

After any sort of periodontal intervention whether surgical in nature or not your dentist may want to put you on a schedule of maintenance appointments to check the progress of your mouth for some time. Every two to four months is a general schedule, sometimes more often for the most severe cases. These visits will involve routine cleanings and thorough examination of the gum tissue to make sure no periodontal disease is recurring.

Oral Care for Prevention:

To help prevent the disease from recurring in the future it is vital that you follow your dentists’ instructions to keep your gums and teeth healthy. The American Dental Association (ADA) encourages you to brush at least twice a day with toothpaste (with fluoride included), replace toothbrushes when the bristles are worn, floss daily to clean between teeth, use an antimicrobial mouthwash such as Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield ®, and do not smoke.

Whatever you call the planning and scaling routine it can help you improve your oral health!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”

If your tooth is in serious decay or a case where the pulp of the tooth is being compromised sometimes a root canal may be in order. Your dentist will often recommend a root canal as a last resort. This will help clean the tooth out from infections and will help cover the nerves of the tooth over so the pain goes away. Remember that once an adult tooth emerges from the gum line the tooth can only sense heat, cold, etc. thanks to the nerves in the tooth. When the nerve is removed from the tooth it helps take away any pain that is being experienced due to tooth decay. That’s the reason the root canal is removed is to ensure that the pain experienced is no longer an issue.

Root canals are used in the most extreme cases of tooth decay when the decay reaches nerve level but many of the symptoms are pretty clear as to when you will need a root canal to be performed. Root canals need to be performed when you experience severe pain just putting pressure on that tooth or area of the mouth. Tooth pain continues when the hot or cold stimuli is removed. A small, pimple-like bump is present along with the pain on the gums near the area of the sore tooth/teeth. Darkening of the tooth itself. Tenderness or swelling of the gums in the area where the pain occurs.

To perform a full root canal your dentist will take x-ray images to see how badly the tooth is infected before determining what if the tooth is badly infected enough for a full root canal. If it’s determined that a root canal is necessary then you will get a local anesthetic to help avoid pain during the actual procedure. The dentist will make a surgical opening at the crown of the tooth and go in to drain the infected pulp from the tooth to relieve the pain. In some cases, the dentist may have to leave the tooth open until the additional material can be drained then the tooth will be cleaned and resealed. Some cases may require the dentist to put a temporary seal on the tooth while the rest of the material and pulp drain from the tooth.

At your next appointment, which usually will occur within a few days, the canal will be filled with a composite filling after the draining process is complete. A crown will be put on the compromised tooth/teeth to help keep the tooth from getting infected again in the future.

Tooth pain may continue for a few days after the root canal, especially after the local anesthesia wears off. Use products to clean your teeth including a soft-bristled toothbrush that is specially made for sensitive teeth until the sensitivity subsides. If you continue to experience this sensitivity more than a week after the procedure sees your dentist for further evaluation.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”

Pregnancy will affect nearly every single aspect of your health. Taking care of your oral health so bacteria doesn’t enter the bloodstream and affect the health of you and the unborn child!

So, what are some special health concerns women may have?

Pregnancy Gingivitis: Most women will notice changes during their gums during pregnancy. Gums may seem more sensitive and bleed more when you brush/floss. You may also develop “pregnancy gingivitis” even when they may not have gingivitis otherwise. Many women will also notice additional swelling and sensitivity to gums that accompany bleeding. This can start early as the second month of pregnancy. Your changes of gingivitis will be about 10x higher during pregnancy This change happens because of how the body reacts to the bacteria and the change in one’s immune system levels throughout pregnancy.

Tooth Erosion: Women who are having severe morning sickness and vomiting frequently will run the risk of ending up with the possibility of tooth erosion from all of the stomach acids spilling up into their mouths. This primarily will erode enamel so keep baking soda and water combinations on hand to rinse out and keep the pH level in the mouth steady after vomiting.

Dry Mouth: Many pregnant women notice their mouths are constantly drying out. You can help by using sugarless gum or hard candies to keep your mouth moist to help increase salivation levels to keep your mouth from drying out. Avoid anything containing xylitol as it can cause there to be more harmful bacteria that will help cause more cavities.

Excessive Saliva: While many people experience dry mouth, a few may experience stimulated saliva glands. This is usually an issue when in an earlier pregnancy. It may occur with nausea.

Myths Sometimes Espoused Are Not True:

Women lose a tooth for every child they have: FALSE — People used to think that one child would use enough calcium from a mother that they would lose a tooth! That is false, but at the same time, you are more susceptible to poor oral health if you are not on top of your brushing and flossing routines so be sure to take care of your oral health even more during your pregnancy.

You Need to take special care of your oral health during pregnancy: MIXED — You need to take care to ensure you are practicing good oral health during pregnancy to avoid gingivitis and periodontitis. You may have more problems with oral health when pregnant but eating a diet balanced in Vitamins A, C, & D as well as a good brushing/flossing routine would be adequate to keep you from having any problems with compromised oral health.

It’s not safe to visit the dentist while pregnant: FALSE — You actually should continue to see the dentist while you are pregnant to ensure your oral health remains optimal. Try to get your dental care in the second trimester if possible, and avoid any treatments that involve anesthesia till after the child is born. After about 20 weeks avoid extra dental work when possible so visit your dentist beforehand for your routine cleaning.

I shouldn’t have emergency dental procedures done while pregnant: FALSE — If the treatment helps relieve discomfort for you or the unborn child you should proceed with treatment. The dentist will consult with your other healthcare providers if they have any fears of providing dental care while you are pregnant before they proceed.

I can’t have X-Rays while I am pregnant: MIXED — While x-rays are safer now than ever before fetuses are the most sensitive to radiation during their first trimester. Studies show that the led aprons can help avoid any problems with the fetus being exposed to radiation. After the first trimester, there are even fewer chances that the baby will be exposed to any harmful radiation. If you need x-rays during pregnancy you can get them safely especially after the first trimester, but be sure to use the lead apron and don’t get more done than are absolutely necessary.

I can’t have dental medication while pregnant: TRUE – Ideally, you should not take any medications unless absolutely necessary while you are pregnant, especially during the first trimester. Especially avoid Category X drugs that are known to be harmful to the fetus.

I can’t have dental medications while nursing: FALSE — The American Pediatric Association (ACA) states that most medications will have no effect on the breast milk that is supplied to the child. To eliminate any minor risks, take your medications soon as your nurse your child each day. That helps eliminate any further problems that may occur.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”