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Lowell Street Dental Implant and Surgical Center

360-692-0300

Periodontal Therapy and Oral Hygiene

Lowell Street Implant & Surgical Center

3594 NW Lowell Street
Silverdale, WA 98383

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Periodontal Therapy & Oral Hygiene in Silverdale, WA

Our Silverdale Periodontist Can Protect Your Smile

At Lowell Street Dental Implant & Surgical Center, our Silverdale periodontist and his team of dental professionals prides themselves in identifying and treating even the earliest signs of periodontal disease. Our team works hard to be conservative in their treatment recommendations, believing that non-surgical periodontal therapy should be prioritized if possible.  

Even in severe cases, non-surgical periodontal therapy often precedes surgical therapy. This can improve the overall tissue quality before surgery and help limit the areas requiring surgery.

What Is Periodontal Therapy?

Periodontal therapy is a type of dental treatment that focuses on the health of the gums and the surrounding tissues of the teeth. Dr. Greggory Wilde recommends periodontal therapy for people suffering from periodontal disease, an infection of the gums and other structures that support the teeth. Our goal for periodontal therapy is to prevent the progression of periodontal disease, improve the health of the gums, and ultimately maintain the health of the teeth and supporting structures.

Periodontal therapy treatments can range from:

Professional Teeth Cleaning

A professional teeth cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis, is vital in maintaining your oral health for years to come. The professional teeth cleaning process typically consists of the following steps:

  • Assessment: Our dentist or an experienced hygienist will examine your mouth and teeth to check for any signs of oral disease or other problems.
  • Plaque and tartar removal: The dentist or hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth, including hard-to-reach areas like between your teeth and along the gumline.
  • Scaling: Scaling involves removing surface stains and plaque from your teeth.
  • Fluoride treatment: Depending on your needs, the dentist or hygienist may apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your enamel and help prevent cavities.
  • Examining the teeth and gums: We’ll measure the depth of the pockets between your gums and teeth to check for signs of gum disease.

Oral Hygiene Tips

Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to numerous dental problems, including cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Poor oral hygiene can also increase the risk of developing other health problems, such as heart disease and respiratory infections.

A healthy oral hygiene routine can help prevent gum disease, keep teeth and gums healthy, and freshen your breath. Daily brushing and flossing, regular dental cleanings, and check-ups are all crucial parts of a healthy oral hygiene routine.

Brushing Techniques

  • Position the brush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet.
  • Gently move the brush in a circular motion with small, gentle strokes.
  • Use light pressure while putting the bristles between your teeth.
  • Clean the inside surfaces of the back teeth with the same technique.
  • Hold the brush vertically to clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth.
  • Clean biting surfaces of teeth with short, gentle strokes.
  • Rinse vigorously to remove debris after brushing.

Flossing Techniques

  • Start with a piece of floss about 18 inches long.
  • Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand.
  • Guide the floss using the forefinger of both hands to clean the bottom teeth.
  • Hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand to clean the upper teeth.
  • Gently insert the floss between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
  • Curve floss into a C-shape against one tooth and slide it into the space between the gum and tooth.
  • Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth.
  • Clean each side of all upper teeth.
  • Rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles.

Caring For Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after receiving dental treatment, your teeth can become sensitive to hot and cold sensations. Thankfully, by keeping your mouth free of plaque and tartar, the sensitivity should reduce in a few days to a week. If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult our periodontist in Silverdale, WA. He may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

With many products on the market claiming to be the best for your oral health, choosing your oral hygiene products can become confusing and difficult. Here are some suggestions for finding dental care products that will work for most patients: 

  • Automatic and high-tech electronic toothbrushes, such as Rotadent and Interplak, are safe and effective for the majority of patients.
  • Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse the mouth thoroughly but won’t remove plaque.
    • You’ll need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator.
  • Toothbrushes with a rubber tip on the handle can massage your gums after brushing.
    • There are also tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) for cleaning between teeth.
  • Fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by up to 40%.
  • Anti-plaque rinses approved by the American Dental Association may help keep early gum disease under control.
  • Tartar-control toothpaste reduces tartar above the gum line but hasn’t been proven to reduce early-stage gum disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it important to maintain oral hygiene post-surgery?

Maintaining good oral hygiene post-surgery is crucial in ensuring a successful outcome and preventing further periodontal problems. This maintenance may involve following a specific diet, avoiding certain foods, and using prescription mouthwashes. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are also essential to monitor progress and maintain good oral health.

What role does diet play in periodontal health?

A healthy diet is essential for maintaining good oral health. Foods high in sugar and carbohydrates can increase the risk of developing cavities and gum disease. On the other hand, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and vitamin C, can help improve oral health and prevent periodontal disease.

How much does periodontal treatment cost?

The cost of periodontal treatment depends on the type of procedure and the severity of the disease. Insurance may cover some or all of the costs, but check with your insurance provider first to determine what is covered. Ask your periodontist if their office provides financing options.

Keep Your Oral Health Healthy!

Call our Silverdale office at (360) 692-0300 today to schedule your consultation. You can also fill out our online contact form, and one of our staff will be happy to assist you. 

Dr. Wilde and our skilled team proudly provide high-quality dental services to patients in Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Port Angeles, Poulsbo, Sequim & Port Orchard, WA. We look forward to helping you achieve your dream smile.

Dr. Greggory Wilde, Periodontist at Lowell Street Dental Implant and Surgical Center in Silverdale, WA

Serving the Olympic Peninsula, Kitsap County & Jefferson County communities including Silverdale, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Port Angeles, Poulsbo, Sequim & Port Orchard WA Serving Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, WA

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