Preventative Care For Teeth & Gums

Smiles by Bond offers preventative dental care in West Seattle, WA

We have three Dental Hygienists to provide you with thorough and gentle professional teeth cleanings and help provide you with important information on what to do at home to keep your teeth, mouth and gums healthy.

Dental cleanings (Prophylaxis) involve removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and calculus (tartar) deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Your teeth are continually bathed in saliva and tend to get a build-up of calcium deposits on the teeth. Regular dental care is important for maintaining strong healthy gum tissue & helping prevent or treat *Gingivitis.

*Gingivitis is an irritation of the gums. It is usually caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates in the small gaps between the gums and the teeth and by calculus (tartar) that forms on the teeth if not properly removed.

 

Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning) involve removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and calculus (tartar) deposits that have built up on the teeth & also along the roots of the teeth.  This type of cleaning is normally provided for someone that has been diagnosed with *Periodontal Disease & is one of the most effective ways to treat it. Your Dental Hygienist will use specialized tools to clean not only the surface of your teeth, but also below the gum line, between the gums and the teeth down to the roots. It is easier for gums to reattach themselves to a smoother root than one still suffering from the results of gum disease. The smooth surface also helps keep dental plaque from attacking the tooth's root, making it easier to maintain the gums following treatment. We typically provide anesthesia or non-injection type anesthesia during deep cleanings to ensure your comfort.  This procedure normally takes a few visits to complete.

*Periodontal Disease is a chronic inflammation of the tissues that surround and support the teeth caused by bacterial plaque. If left untreated it can become severe and may lead to the progressive loss of bone around the teeth and eventually premature tooth loss. Early signs and symptoms include redness or bleeding of gums while brushing, halitosis (bad breath) and recession of the gum tissue.  Gum Disease may not even be painful until it is more advanced.  Periodontal Disease must be controlled through regular periodontal cleanings (even though you may have had periodontal surgery or non-surgical treatment).  Gum Disease has been linked to pre-term deliveries in pregnant women, bacterial pneumonia, heart disease, strokes and other health problems.

Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings are normally provided at 3,4 or 6 month intervals.  Your Dental Hygienist may clean areas with deeper pockets, down below the gumline and also the surface of your teeth to remove any tartar or calculous deposits.  The Doctor and Hygienist will determine which interval is best for the patient, based on the patient’s condition.  Studies have shown that the bacteria that causes Periodontal Disease becomes more active if left in place for 3-4 months.  This is why more frequent intervals may be recommended in order to keep a patient from having active Periodontal Disease and continuing to lose more bone support around their teeth.

Night Guards or Bite Appliances are a good way to help prevent chipping or breaking & fracturing of the teeth, gum recession, jaw and TMJ pain & headaches and muscle pain caused by clenching and grinding of the teeth.  We offer several types of guards & the Doctor can help determine which guard suits your needs.  We also offer sports guards for kids and adults who participate in any activity where there may be trauma to the mouth or face.

Dental Sealants and Flouride are both ways of protecting the teeth against tooth decay.  Sealants are typically placed on a tooth that is free of tooth decay.  First, the tooth is cleaned, dried and etched.  Any plaque is removed from the surface of the tooth.  The sealant is painted on and then hardened with a special curing light.  Sealants can last for many years, but can also chip or wear off.  They can easily be replaced with a new sealant to help protect those teeth for as long as possible.  Flouride is a supplement that has been shown to help remineralize enamel, protecting your teeth against tooth decay.

Our office recommends sealants and fluoride for most all patients, especially children.

Dental Care for your Child, age 2 and up
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