Deep Dental Cleanings: Should I Get One?

deep cleaning Lexington, KY

Deep Dental Cleanings: Should I Get One?  

Deep Dental Cleanings: Should I Get One? 

A deep dental cleaning, also known as gum therapy, is a treatment that cleans between the gums and teeth all the way down to the roots. The hygienist or dentist will clean the tooth, gum line, and sides of the teeth, just like a routine cleaning. Additionally, tartar below the gum line to the root of the tooth is removed.

What is a Deep Cleaning?

It is more thorough than a conventional cleaning and is intended to cure and prevent gum disease from worsening. In this article, our dentist in Lexington, KY, discusses deep dental cleanings and if you should get one. 

Hygiene and Periodontal Health

Because your mouth is full of bacteria and plaque, it’s recommended that you brush twice a day and floss daily. Routine checkups and cleanings aid in the removal of plaque that accumulates on your teeth on a daily basis. The majority of the plaque is found along the gum line, which most of us overlook when brushing. Plaque hardens to tartar, which your dental hygienist will remove during routine cleanings.

If you don’t brush your teeth on a regular basis, or if you are at risk for gum disease, your gums may develop gingivitis. Symptom so of gingivitis includes red, swollen gums that bleed easily when touched. If left untreated, this can progress to periodontal disease, a more severe stage of gingivitis. Dr. Kim urges you to treat your gingivitis before it develops into tooth loss.

Gum Disease

Suspect you have gum disease? Visit our dental office in Lexington, KY, for an evaluation. To determine if there is an infection, we will take dental x-rays and assess the depth of the pockets. This is standard practice. You’ve probably heard your hygienist readout numbers while evaluating each tooth. 

Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Teeth Cleaning

Comparing routine teeth cleaning to a deep teeth cleaning is akin to comparing apples and oranges, says our friend Dr. O’Grady, a dentist in Denver, CO. He explains that the two treatments accomplish very different tasks. A regular cleaning’s purpose is preventative maintenance, whereas a deep teeth cleaning’s purpose is to halt periodontal disease.

Do I Need a Deep Cleaning?

Only your dentist or dental hygienist can be certain. If your dentist finds considerable pockets—those four mms or larger—you are at risk for (or in the early stages of) periodontal disease. This qualifies you for a deep cleaning. A dental deep cleaning visit will stop the periodontal disease from getting worse. Without treatment, the bacteria that caused your gum pockets will continue to cause plaque, tartar, and bone loss.

You are not alone if you have been informed that you need a deep cleaning at the dentist. Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems today. Luckily, gum disease or periodontal disease is preventable. As mentioned above, it’s crucial that you follow a good oral hygiene regimen and visit your dentist every six months. 

Contact Dentist in Lexington, KY

Need a deep cleaning? Contact Park Hills Family Dentistry! Our team of professionals will take good care of you and your little ones. Our dental office is located in Lexington, KY. We offer a wide range of dental services. Dr. Kim and Dr. Oberst look forward to meeting you soon!

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Do I Need a Root Canal - Lexington KY

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy? 

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal is a procedure used to save a patient’s natural tooth when there are no other options other than an extraction. When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, a root canal is the last resort. This is the process of completely cleaning the infected tooth and decay all the way down to the tooth’s root. Here, Dr. Kim helps us celebrate Root Canal Awareness Week! Read below to discover how this procedure works and ask yourself, “Do I need root canal therapy?” 

101 On Tooth Decay

You may be familiar with the term cavities. Many patients experience cavities at some point in their life. When you eat, some bacteria in your mouth begin to break down your food for digestion. Plaque is formed when bacteria in your mouth are combined with sugar in your food. Plaque is a sticky, clear substance that forms on the surface of your teeth. Because plaque is acidic, it erodes tooth enamel over time when it sits on your teeth. The teeth are extremely tough, but they will eventually wear away over time. 

Root Canal Therapy

The American Dental Association suggests visiting your dental office at least twice a year for comprehensive exams and cleanings. If you do this, we will detect decay when it is very small and will not cause internal infections. However, severe tooth decay must be removed completely, or you will lose your entire tooth. That’s when we’d perform a root canal procedure. 

Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?

When a tooth requires a root canal, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for. Take note if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Sharp pains or tooth sensitivity 
  • Consistent throbbing or burning pain in a tooth or other area of your mouth
  • Swelling and tenderness in the surrounding gums
  • A tooth abscess or discoloration
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages

These are all symptoms of tooth decay. When decay is not the issue, you are most likely dealing with an infected tooth. In either case, you may require a root canal. Root canal therapy is required when:

  • Deep cavities pierce the pulp, resulting in bacterial infections of exposed pulp.
  • Internal tooth injuries exist that are not visible on the surface.
  • Cracks, major chips, and other breaks can occur in the tooth structure.

How Root Canal Therapy Works

In the case of cavities, the decayed area is removed and filled with composite material. However, to avoid a dead tooth, the infected tooth structure must be cleared out. When the pulp (the center nerve part of the tooth) becomes infected or is exposed due to injury, patients will undoubtedly require a root canal. Bacteria can enter and destroy the rest of the tooth, and infection can spread to your bloodstream, causing severe illness. That is why you should never ignore tooth pain, says Dr. Kim.

During root canal therapy, Dr. Kim will use dental tools to open up the top of your tooth during your procedure. Dr. Kim will then work meticulously to remove all decayed and infected parts of your tooth. This is the time-consuming part because she has to clean all the way down to the tooth’s roots. If an infection is not removed, the tooth will continue to decay. Our friends at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, a dentist in Colorado Springs, point out that an untreated tooth will eventually die. Small root canal brushes can be used to remove decay from small tooth roots. Then, the entire tooth is then filled with composite material to preserve the tooth’s structure, and the top is sealed off. A root canal removes everything from the tooth except the healthy pulp that remains.

Restorative Dentistry

Root canal therapy is usually the last option dental professionals will consider before extracting a tooth. If you choose a root canal procedure, you can keep a tooth healthy for many years and keep your natural tooth. It is less expensive for you than having a tooth extracted and receiving a dental implant and dental crown. In many cases, a root canal saves your tooth and allows you to heal within a few days. If you are experiencing tooth pain or require a dental exam, please contact Park Hills Family Dentistry.