Bleeding gums can be easy to put up with, especially if nothing hurts. Sometimes gum disease causes very little discomfort at all. That's why we check the tissue supporting your teeth at dental visits, even when your teeth feel fine.
Making sense of the gum measurements
You may hear numbers being called out during the gum examination. These measurements help us assess the spaces around your teeth. We also look for bleeding, recession, buildup, and any looseness. Dental X-rays help Dr. Maiurano assess the bone supporting the teeth.
We'll explain what those findings mean for you. It's also helpful to know about changes in your health or medications and how your usual brushing and cleaning routine is going.
What does a deep cleaning mean?
You may have heard the term without knowing how it differs from a routine cleaning. Scaling and root planing is a treatment that removes plaque and tartar below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces. It can be needed when gum disease has progressed beyond early inflammation, called gingivitis.
A deep cleaning is recommended for specific signs of gum disease. Time away from the dentist, by itself, doesn't tell us which cleaning you need. Dr. Maiurano will go over the gum measurements and other findings with you, explain the care she recommends, and discuss follow-up.
If a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in gums and the supporting tissues, would be the right person to help, she'll discuss the referral with you.
Already have a recommendation you're unsure about? A second-opinion appointment is a chance to bring the findings and ask your questions.
Let's talk about what works at home
If floss catches, a handle is hard to grip, or you're struggling to keep up with a routine, tell us. Advice is more useful when it fits what you can do at home. Diabetes, smoking, and some medications can affect gum health, too. We'll take your health history into account as we plan your care.
What is periodontal maintenance?
Gum care often continues after a deep cleaning. That ongoing care may include periodontal maintenance. These visits focus on checking your gums and cleaning around your teeth, with attention to areas affected by gum disease. Your gum measurements and treatment history help guide that care, so it may differ from a routine cleaning.
At follow-up visits, we check how your gums are responding and whether the measurements have changed. We'll explain when to return and how your home routine fits into the plan. If you're unsure why a particular visit is recommended, please ask. We want the plan to make sense to you.
If you've been away from dental care for a while, you can read about getting started again before you call.