Are you flossing with the proper technique? Ask our Periodontist

When someone says they’ve got deep pockets, it’s typically a good thing. It means they’ve got a healthy bank account. However, when it comes to the health of your gums, having deep pockets is quite the opposite. It means our periodontist at Maryland Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants has detected spaces between your teeth and gums that are wider than they should be. But you’ve come to the right place for addressing this condition. Our periodontist is specially trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. 

 

If having deep financial pockets is a good thing, then why are pockets in your gum line a bad thing? That’s because those pockets provide a convenient hiding place for plaque — that sticky film that can build up and harden into plaque — and other disease-causing bacteria that may lead to tooth and bone loss. So unlike your bank account, the sooner our periodontist empties those pockets, the better.

 

But first, how does our periodontist diagnose this condition? We’ll actually measure the groove between your gums and teeth at several spots in your mouth using a dental probe. In this case, just a millimeter or two can mean the difference between healthy gums and possible periodontal disease. This precision and expertise is exactly why you’ve come to a periodontal specialist.

 

Next, what do we do about those pockets? A non-surgical treatment called a deep cleaning enables our periodontist to scale below the gum line to eliminate plaque and other bacteria. Then we smooth out the tooth roots, giving plaque and bacteria fewer places to hide. Rest assured you’ll be kept comfortable by our attentive staff during the entire time you’re in our care.

 

If you have concerns about your gums or have been referred by your dentist to a periodontist, please contact our specialist at Maryland Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants today for an appointment.

By Maryland Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants

March 29, 2023

If you’re reading this, there’s little doubt you already know about the importance of making dental floss an integral part of your oral hygiene routine. But are you flossing properly? If not, there’s a chance you could be doing more harm than good. Our periodontist at Maryland Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants wants to help ensure you’re using the proper technique.

So, why are we recommending that you floss at least once daily? By doing so we remove food particles that have become lodged between the teeth, which is an effective method of cutting down on bacteria and plaque — that stubborn film that clings to your teeth and contributes to gum disease.

Here are a few handy tips for getting the most out of your flossing routine:

• First, use a length of floss measuring about 18 to 24 inches and wind it around the middle fingers, leaving about an inch or two for your teeth. 

• Holding it tightly with your fingers and thumbs, place the floss between two teeth and lightly glide it up and down against the sides of the teeth. 

• At the bottom of the tooth, wrap the floss into a C shape to clean the space between the gums and teeth.

• Repeat this process between each tooth, using a clean portion of floss each time.

• A note of caution: Do not press the floss into the gums. This can bruise the gums and cause bleeding. If you’re bleeding while flossing, either you’re pressing too hard or you may have signs of gum disease. 

If you’ve noticed your gums are red, swollen or bleeding for a period of time, it’s time to schedule a visit with our periodontist at Maryland Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants. We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease, a condition that affects almost half of all adults over the age of 30. Please contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

By Maryland Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants

February 27, 2023