Should I have a deep cleaning?!
Question: My dentist said I should have it done to avoid peridontal infection or something, and it costs $500. Should I go through with it? It's a lot of money and I brush and floss my teeth regularly and I've never had any dental problems. Neither my gums or teeth hurt or have any discomfort.
They've also recommended my mom to get a deep cleaning too but her mouth has been in that condition for at least 10 years and she hasn't been sick or infected or anything. From my experiences, dentists often make matters sound worse than they really are, is that the case here? Are they just trying to get me to pay $500 for something that's not that significant?
Answers: My dentist said I should have it done to avoid peridontal infection or something, and it costs $500. Should I go through with it? It's a lot of money and I brush and floss my teeth regularly and I've never had any dental problems. Neither my gums or teeth hurt or have any discomfort.
They've also recommended my mom to get a deep cleaning too but her mouth has been in that condition for at least 10 years and she hasn't been sick or infected or anything. From my experiences, dentists often make matters sound worse than they really are, is that the case here? Are they just trying to get me to pay $500 for something that's not that significant?
dentists always try to rip you off. if your teeth are fine and healthy definetly do not bother with that. same with your mom. trust me we had to switch to a dentist that was related to us because you cannot trust them. especially dont get deep cleaning if you haven't even ever had cavities! then you are completely normal
I THINK THEY R JUST TRYIN TO HUSTLE YOU...
I suggest that you have a second opinion done. Just because you brush and floss regularly, it is very possible that you aren't using the correct technique when brushing/flossing. I definitely suggest having a second opinion done. You won't get sick or have an infection if you truly have periodontal disease. You need to have a periodontist see how deep the pockets are around your teeth.
Periodontal disease does not cause any pain or discomfort, so many people are unaware they have a problem. Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.
Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
The reason your dentist may have recommended this deep cleaning is because once these pockets have formed, it is not possible to reach all the way to the bottom with them with your toothbrush and floss. However, after getting all of the plaque and bacteria out of the pocket, they can heal, making the pockets smaller and easier for you to maintain at home.
It's your decision and your teeth, but you may want to ask the dentist if you have any pocketing, and how deep they are. Pockets 4mm or deeper should be cleaned by a professional. If you do have periodontal disease, it won't go away, and could progress to the point where you lose your teeth, and areas with periodontal disease are not good places for dental implants.
Teeth and gums are totally different elements in your mouth. It takes a different type of bacteria to cause gum disease than the kind that cause tooth decay. The kind that cause gum disease don't require oxygen so they can live in the nice, warm, moist environment that your gum sulcus provides. If you haven't had a professional cleaning in your life or in several years it is very possible that you have calculus buildup below the gumline. You can't see it unless it is very heavy and the gums have receded. Gum disease does not have to hurt. In fact it takes years to really see the affects of it. Other than bleeding gums you may not have any other problems. Also...if you don't have bleeding gums, that could mean you aren't hitting your gums when you brush and floss so you wouldn't see any. Smokers have a more keratinized gum tissue than non smokers. This means it is tougher and will not bleed as easily.
I can't say whether or not the diagnosis was correct or not, but just don't be too confident that there is nothing wrong. The only thing really to do is to have a second opinion. Then decide who you have more confidence in. You need to have cleanings every 6 months normally. So if you haven't been doing that...there is a good chance you have some problems...good luck.