Do Sore Gums Mean I Need A Deep Cleaning?

When you have aches or sensitivity in your teeth, this often means you have a pretty serious cavity, or even the beginnings of an infected tooth. But what if you notice soreness and sensitivity in your gums? In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist talks about how we address soreness and protect smiles from periodontal disease and periodontitis!

The Causes of Sore Gums

Why do our gums start to feel sore? The issue often begins with poor oral hygiene. Lack of daily care and a diet high in sugary foods and drinks could lead to plaque buildup accumulating your teeth. Over time, this layer begins to irritate and inflame the gum tissues. As inflammation begins, also known as gingivitis, then gingival tissue may appear red or feel sore. Bleeding when you brush and floss could also occur. Other facts behind inflammation include a family history of periodontal issues, inflammatory illnesses or certain medications, or the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Unless treated, gingivitis could soon lead to periodontal disease and with it, a greater risk of discomfort and even tooth loss!

The Deep Cleaning Process

A deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing, helps reverse gingivitis and manage gum disease to safeguard your smile and restore comfort. Using an ultrasonic scaler and a manual tool, we remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth and the roots. The process could take one visit to complete, or up to four, depending on the cause and extent of your buildup. The treatment helps allow healthy tissues to attack other teeth and close periodontal pockets, and reduces the factors behind soreness and swelling.

What Next?

Following your deep cleaning, you will need to see our team every three to four months for a more traditional dental cleaning, so we can continue to remove plaque and prevent inflammation. At home, you need to reduce the severity of plaque in between office visits by brushing for two minutes when you wake up and again before going to bed. You also need to floss up and down each side of every tooth making contact with the gum line when you do. Try to avoid tobacco products as well! If you have any questions about protecting your smile from soreness and gum disease, or if you would like to schedule a checkup and cleaning appointment, then contact our team today.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING YOUR TEETH?

We want to help safeguard your smile against periodontal disease and periodontitis, preventing tooth loss and other serious complications. For more information on our approach to preventive dentistry, or to schedule a consultation, call the office of James Stewart, DDS in Livonia, MI, today at (734) 425-4400.