Scaling and professional teeth cleaning both rid your teeth and gums of bacteria; however, scaling is a deeper cleaning that extends below the gumline. The latter is reserved for patients with gum disease.
This blog addresses the following:
- Comparing Scaling and Professional Teeth Cleanings in Arlington
- Why Gum Disease Treatment Is Crucial
- When to Contact Your Arlington Dentist
Comparing Scaling and Professional Teeth Cleanings in Arlington
If you’re diagnosed with gum disease, it means you have infections and inflammation in the gums, tooth-supporting bones, and periodontal ligaments. This is a serious condition requiring ongoing treatment. Scaling is often part of the treatment because it clears much of the infection and reshapes the gums, helping them adhere better to the tooth roots.
Professional teeth cleanings help reduce your gum disease, tooth decay, and oral infection risks and are part of regular dental prevention (six-month checkup). These dental cleanings are non-invasive and help freshen the breath.
Why Gum Disease Treatment Is Crucial
Strong clinical evidence and comprehensive studies link gum disease to oral and physical health complications, including:
- Tooth Loss
- Heart Issues
- Lung Issues
- Low Birth Weight
- Premature Labor
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
Typically, gum disease starts as gingivitis, meaning the inflammation and infections have not reached the jawbones. In this stage of the disease ,your dentist can reverse it. However, when gingivitis advances to periodontitis, it is no longer curable.
Despite being incurable, treatment can help protect you from the serious complications of untreated gum disease.
You can prevent gum disease through regular checkups, teeth cleanings, excellent oral hygiene, and smoking cessation. Of course, gum disease may have a hereditary component, but being vigilant with prevention can help mitigate the link to the disease in your family history.
When to Contact Your Arlington Dentist
You should contact your dentist every six months to arrange a checkup and teeth cleaning or if you notice oral health changes. To schedule an appointment, call us today at (703) 522-8894.