Find out how a deep dental cleaning could help get your gum disease under control.

The CDC reports that nearly half of American adults have gum disease. This common oral disease is also the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. So, if you just found out you have gum disease or are concerned that your puffy gums may be trying to tell you something about the state of your oral health, our Vero Beach, FL, dentist Dr. Raymond Della Porta and Dr. Scott Elliott can help you get your gum health under control with deep professional dental cleanings.

What are the warning signs of gum disease?

Sometimes gum disease doesn’t cause any symptoms at all, which is why even the healthiest looking smiles still need to visit our Vero Beach, FL, family dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. Of course, it is important that you call us for an appointment if you develop any of these classic signs of gum disease,

• Swollen, puffy gums
• Gums that easily bleed
• Tender gums
• Receding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Red or purple gums
• Loose teeth (in more advanced stages)

What are scaling and root planing?

If our Vero Beach, FL, dental team detects gum disease during your next checkup, don’t fear; we have the tools to be able to help you control your gum disease and get your gums back to a healthy state. While we may recommend certain toothpaste and oral rinses that you can use at home to properly care for your gums, we may also recommend undergoing scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is a deep dental cleaning that allows our team to go under the gum line to remove plaque and tartar buildup using special ultrasonic tools.

What should I expect if I need to get scaling and root planing?

During your evaluation, our dental team will determine whether or not you will need to come in only once or whether the procedure will need to be spread out over several visits. We typically treat one quadrant of your gums per session. Once the area is numbed with local anesthesia, we will remove plaque and tartar at and below the gum line. From there, we will also smooth the roots of the teeth and any rough areas to make it a less hospitable environment for plaque and tartar to build up in the future. On average, this cleaning takes about 1-2 hours to complete.

If you notice bleeding, tender, or swollen gums, it’s important that you turn to our Vero Beach, FL, family dentist Dr. Della Porta and Dr. Elliott for the care your gums need to prevent severe gum disease and tooth loss. To schedule an evaluation with us, or your six-month cleaning, call (772) 567-1025 today.