Dr. Clint Bruyere and his dental team find it very important to not only treat our patients’ dental concerns, but also to educate them on the habits that can help them avoid problems in the future. Dental conditions like gum disease and cavities can have far-reaching effects on the body. For that reason, it is essential to learn and practice the best possible dental care at home and to work with your dentist for prevention and treatment when necessary. Gum disease is something that we carefully monitor in our Longview office, as this condition can cause irreversible damage to the overall oral structure, even costing one his or her teeth.

Gum disease is an infection, beginning with gingivitis. Most of us have heard of gingivitis. This is the early stage of gum disease, in which superficial tissues become irritated and inflamed. Because gingivitis can be so easy to overlook, regular visits to the dentist are extremely important. Your dentist and hygienist can spot gingivitis right away, helping you avoid the ongoing disease process through preventive care. When we are looking only at gingivitis, we have the opportunity to reverse damage and restore oral health. Once gingivitis has progressed, ongoing treatment becomes necessary.

Prevention is the best medicine

We want to help our patients avoid the need for ongoing gum disease maintenance. During your dental visits, Dr. Bruyere and our hygienist will discuss ways in which teeth and gums can be best cared for at home. When daily brushing and flossing are performed as demonstrated by your dental care team, you are better able to eliminate the harmful bacteria that cause dental problems. Secondary to daily habits, keeping regularly scheduled dental appointments is vital to preventive care.

If you notice any of the signs of gum disease, such as bleeding when you brush or floss, a dental appointment should be made right away. Dr. Bruyere has a variety of treatment options to address the progressive stages of gum disease. Often, we begin a treatment plan with a deep cleaning, designed to remove harmful bacteria from the gum line and below. Called root planing and scaling, this process is gently performed by a skilled hygienist. 

Root planing is the process of removing any debris that has collected in between the teeth and gums. Once plaque, tartar, and bacteria have been removed, the root surface is smoothed, or “scaled,” to promote healing and decrease the periodontal pocket. Following this beneficial treatment, we demonstrate home care techniques to promote oral health, and schedule recall appointments to monitor the health of teeth and gums.

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