Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Gums

  • Why are healthy gums so important?

    Healthy gums are so important because your gums and your bone are the foundation of your mouth. If you have unhealthy gums, chances are the rest of your mouth is unhealthy as well.

  • How can I tell if my gums are healthy or unhealthy?

    A quick and easy way to tell if your gums are unhealthy is if you're bleeding when you're brushing or flossing. A healthy mouth shouldn't have any blood.

  • What causes unhealthy gums?

    Unhealthy gums typically start from poor oral hygiene. When you're not brushing and flossing, you're not removing plaque. That starts to irritate your gums.

  • Can unhealthy gums be fixed?

    Unhealthy gums can be fixed to a certain extent. If your unhealthy gums have progressed to periodontitis, which is bone loss, that's irreversible. But if you come in for a little bit of bleeding and we get you cleaned up, chances are you can bounce right back.

  • What is involved in the process of deep cleaning of teeth?

    A deep cleaning means that we have to get underneath your gum tissue to help remove some buildup. So typically we'll get you numb. Yes, that means you have to get a few shots in your mouth and then we go in there and we really dig that buildup out.

  • Why does it take more than one sitting for a dental cleaning?

    If it takes more than one sitting for a dental cleaning, that means we've had to go in and do a deep cleaning. Typically, when we do a deep cleaning, we have to numb your mouth. You don't want your whole mouth to be numb at once, which is why we split it up into halves.

  • Is deep dental cleaning painful?

    A deep dental cleaning can be painful, which is why we numb you. That way, while we're cleaning, you're not in any pain and we can effectively remove the buildup from underneath your gums.

  • What are the best ways to take care of my gums at home after a deep dental cleaning?

    After a deep dental cleaning, if you're tender, you can use some warm saltwater rinses. That'll help your gums. But the most important part is your oral hygiene. You have to be brushing at least two times a day. You have to be flossing or using a water pick and using a fluoridated mouthwash.

  • At what point is gum grafting necessary?

    When there is a severe amount of recession, sometimes we will refer you to a periodontist to talk about gum grafting.

  • How can I schedule a dental appointment?

    It is so easy to schedule a dental appointment. All you have to do is give us a call at (636) 434-1244 and the girls will be happy to put you on the books.


    If you have any further questions or if you're ready to get your teeth cleaned, don't hesitate to give us a call at (636) 434-1244 


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