At Canyon Dental, your dentist in Orem, Utah, we care about your oral health, and your gums play a huge part in that. Did you know that 85% of the population has some form of periodontal disease (infection of the gums and/or jawbone), and that 40% is undiagnosed?! Periodontal disease has also been linked to heart disease, oral cancer, pre-term labor and low birth weight, jawbone and tooth loss, Alzheimer’s, and more.
Many times, your dentist can catch potential or even major health problems through signs and symptoms in your mouth? At Canyon Dental, we screen for periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other systemic diseases at EVERY appointment for you!
Periodontal Therapy has several different names (scaling, gum treatment, deep cleaning), and is performed to provide treatment when gums and the jawbone that surround your teeth are severely inflamed and infected.
When you eat, the sugars/carbohydrates in your food are metabolized by bacteria, and create a thin layer on film on your teeth called plaque (biofilm). At this stage, when you have inflamed or swollen gums, you may have a disease called gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible when addressed early by your dental professional.
When the plaque matures, it becomes multilayered and hardens, turning into a calcified substance called tartar (calculus). When tartar forms, it cannot be removed with normal brushing and flossing, but must be cleaned by your dentist or dental hygienist. If it remains neglected, the tartar will encroach on the gums and jawbone, and will start to erode the jawbone that holds your teeth in place. This is a disease called periodontitis, and is only stopped and reversed through periodontal therapy. If left untreated, the tooth-supporting bone erodes, teeth become loose, and periodontitis eventually leads to tooth loss, resulting in more costly and time-consuming dental treatment.
At Canyon Dental, Dr. Bowen and our hygienists are trained to address your periodontal needs. If you have swollen or red gums, bleeding or bad tastes around your teeth and gums, or haven’t been to a dental office for many years, you may be in need of periodontal therapy or gum treatment. We will do a complete exam, set of x-rays, and workup to evaluate the health of your gums and recommended and provide and needed dental care.
Call us today to schedule your appointment at (801) 224-6051 or click here.