Baton Rouge Dentist

Too Much Bleeding During My Dental Hygiene Appointment

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I switched to a new dentist in 2024. The first two hygienists who cleaned my teeth were gentle. However, my dental cleaning last week was so aggressive that it hurt, and my gums were bleeding way too much. The hygienist said I had tartar buildup that needed to be removed to prevent the progression of gum disease. Why hadn’t anyone else mentioned this to me? Could I have gum damage from the aggressive cleaning? Thanks. Kirk from Dayton, OH

Kirk,

A quality cleaning primarily focuses on removing calculus (hardened plaque) below the gumline, which can’t be cleaned away in just a few minutes. Ideally, this process should take at least 40 minutes, with many skilled hygienists needing an hour to do the job properly.

While some dental offices might offer brief cleanings that leave teeth looking clean, these rush jobs don’t address the critical buildup beneath the gums, which can lead to long-term oral health issues if neglected.

Why Is Thorough Cleaning Sometimes Painful?

If past hygienists didn’t address the tartar buildup, it’s likely that a thorough cleaning will cause some discomfort and possibly bleeding. The accumulation of hardened deposits irritates the gums, leading to inflammation. Cleaning below the gumline to remove this buildup can trigger bleeding.

Though this can be uncomfortable, it’s a sign that the cleaning is working to remove the buildup and restore your gum health. After a hygienist removes the tartar, the inflammation will subside, and the gums will begin to heal.

Can a Hygienist Damage Your Gums?

A diagram of lower teeth and gums, and areas of early, moderate, and advanced gum disease
Image courtesy of Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, Thousand Oaks, CA

If plaque buildup hasn’t been properly removed for years by hygienists, it lead to gum disease, which may cause permanent damage to your gums and teeth. Chronic inflammation from plaque buildup can eventually lead to the destruction of the bone that supports your teeth.

Here’s what can happen if the buildup is left untreated:

  • Your gums may bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
  • Over time, untreated tartar can lead to bone loss, compromising tooth stability.
  • Persistent gum inflammation caused by tartar buildup can lead to receding gums, leaving teeth exposed and vulnerable.

Was Your Last Hygienist Too Aggressive?

It’s unlikely that your hygienist caused permanent damage, but if she was too aggressive, the bleeding you experienced could be the result of soft tissue trauma. This kind of damage heals on its own without leaving permanent marks.

Your current hygienist has done a thorough job, so consider the value of letting her do your future cleanings.

 

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

I Have a Tooth Gap from Gum Disease

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I have a tooth gap from gum disease between my front left center tooth and the canine. I had braces in my late teens, and my teeth were straight, but now my smile is messed up. I am afraid of what will happen to my teeth. How does a dentist close a gap that results from gum disease? Thanks, Arianna from MI

 

Arianna,

Periodontal (gum) disease is advanced when it causes your teeth to move. If you have not begun treatment, schedule an appointment with a periodontist for an evaluation.

Why Do Tooth Gaps Form with Gum Disease?

Tooth gaps can form with untreated gum disease. The infection and bacteria cause teeth to separate from their ligaments and supporting bones. The condition will also destroy the bone.  According to the American Academy of Periodontology, a periodontologist (gum specialist) will assign a stage to your gum disease—from initial to severe—and recommend treatment.

What Is the Treatment for Tooth Gaps from Gum Disease?

Teeth with plaque buildup and a dental instrument to remove it for gum disease treatment
Periodontal (gum) disease treatment can prevent teeth from shifting

Treating tooth gaps from gum disease depends on the severity of your case but can include:

  • Deep cleanings – Removing disease from gum pockets
  • Bone graft – Replacing damaged or destroyed bone with grafting material
  • Gum grafts – Replacing destroyed gum tissue with donor material or soft tissue from your palate

Your specialist will explain which treatment combinations you need. Some treatment plans include braces to realign teeth.

Unsavable teeth require removal and replacement with dental implants. A dental bridge may be an option if your budget does not allow you to get dental implants.

We recommend scheduling a consultation with a periodontist and a skilled cosmetic dentist to help restore your oral health and smile.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

Why Are My Teeth Still Falling Out Despite Months of Deep Cleanings?

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I had two upper right teeth extracted last year. I got a partial denture to fill in the gaps. In January, my dentist scheduled my deep cleaning every four months instead of every six months, as we did for the past two years. Last week, I lost two more teeth. I’m unsure what deep cleaning should do, but I thought it would help stop tooth loss. I don’t want a mouth full of partial dentures. I live on a fixed income. What are my alternatives for stopping tooth loss? – Thanks. Lamar from TN

Lamar,

Recurring tooth loss often indicates an underlying condition, such as advanced periodontal disease (gum disease). It’s important to note that conventional removable partial dentures can exert additional stress on remaining teeth, potentially leading to further tooth loss.

Illustration of gum diseaseDental implants may be ideal if you still have a few teeth on the left side of your mouth. However, they are a significant investment, typically costing over $3,000 per dental implant.

Another possibility is a Cu-Sil partial denture, which resembles a complete denture but has silicone-lined holes that fit over existing teeth. This design offers enhanced stability compared to traditional partial dentures and allows for easy additions of artificial teeth as needed.

We recommend consulting a periodontist (gum disease specialist) to assess your oral health and discuss treatment to help you control gum disease. Afterward, look for a dentist experienced in tooth replacement options to explain affordable solutions.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

My Deep Cleanings at the Dentist Are Too Painful

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I’ve had deep cleanings at the dentist for two years, but my gum pockets are still deep. My teeth are sensitive, so I told the hygienist that I wanted to pause for a few months at the last deep cleaning. The deep cleanings cause so much pain and bleeding. I think it was a mistake to start treatment. – Thanks. Toni from Decatur, GA

Toni,

Your signs and symptoms are caused by severe gum disease, which requires immediate attention to prevent further tooth loss.

Regarding the discomfort you’ve experienced during deep cleaning procedures, it’s important to note that while some discomfort is expected, significant pain is not. Deep cleanings, or scaling and root planing, are typically performed under local anesthesia to minimize pain. The procedure involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from below the gumline, where bacteria can accumulate and cause inflammation.

Post-operative pain can sometimes occur, particularly in cases of severe infection. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help control the disease during treatment.

Given your history of discomfort, consider consulting a periodontist, a gum disease specialist. They have extensive experience treating complex cases and can develop a personalized treatment plan to minimize pain and maximize results.

Remember, addressing gum disease promptly is crucial to preserving your oral health. Seeking professional help and adhering to recommended treatment plans will improve oral health and prevent future complications.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

What are the Dangers of Periodontal Disease?

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I’m writing you because my mother has gingivitis and I believe it stems from periodontitis. Over a week ago, she felt extreme tooth pain at the back of her mouth. Twenty-four hours later, she began to suffer from a fever and body aches.

My mother visited her dentist and was told that part of the bone at the back of her mouth has been eaten away. Luckily for her, it was caught early and she didn’t lose her molar. The dentist removed the bacteria, applied oral medicine, prescribed antibiotics, cleaned her mouth and told her to make another appointment for scaling.

Is this is a severe case of periodontitis and has the bone loss been stopped? Also, with the fever and other issues, will this affect her body systems like her heart, etc? I read periodontal disease may cause many health issues. What can be done now?

– Theresa from Louisiana

Theresa,
To answer your question, periodontal disease stems from gingivitis left untreated over a period of time. To educate you a little further, gingivitis happens when the gums bleed easily, become tender, red and swollen. Gingivitis occurs when people lack in their brushing and flossing techniques. If people don’t attend to regular brushing, flossing and cleanings, periodontal disease (gum disease) will happen. Periodontal disease if left untreated, leads to tooth loss.

Your mother’s dentist cleaned around one tooth that was painful but also recommended that your mother get scaling done as well.

Root planing and scaling is recommended to remove debris and bacteria from under the gums on the teeth surfaces in order to prevent the disease from destroying bone around the teeth. Infection must be removed or tooth loss will happen. Without dental x-rays, a clinical exam, and measuring depths of the pockets, it’s a challenge to determine how severe your mother’s periodontal disease is.

If periodontal disease is left untreated, tooth loss may occur and this disease may cause fever as well as affect the heart, diabetes, lung and respiratory system.

We recommend that you speak to your mother’s dentist to determine the severity of the disease and treat it properly to prevent dental and health issues from occurring.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry

Can My Loose Tooth Be Saved?

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I have a lot of plaque buildup and my bottom front tooth is shaking. Is there any way I can save it and will the dentist be able to clean my teeth without pulling the loose one out?

Thanks, Willliam

Dear William,

When teeth start to become mobile it’s usually a good indicator that gum disease is present. Knowing that you have a lot of plaque buildup your dentist will probably recommend a deep cleaning, in other words root planing and scaling to prevent you from losing more bone around your teeth. Depending on how mobile your lower front tooth is will depend on its longevity.

Have your teeth and gums evaluated by your dentist. They will know whether the tooth is savable or not. When teeth are a little mobile they can become fairly tight within the socket after a deep cleaning and you may be able to maintain it for years. After the deep cleaning is complete it is vital to go every three or four months for regular scheduled cleanings in order to maintain them and prevent you from losing more bone as well having good oral hygiene habits through brushing and flossing. Gum Disease not only causes the possibility of tooth lose but is linked to heart disease and diabetes, therefore highly important to treat your gum infection in order to prevent other health problems as well.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

PERIO SURGERY VS. DENTURES?

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I need to have a periodontal surgery where they cut the gums and lay them open to clean the teeth and possibly fill in where there is bone loss. With insurance I’m looking at close to $4000, plus I need a deep cleaning prior to the surgery, which is $1200. From what I’ve been told because my bone loss is 6 to 8 throughout my gums, this may not work. I’m 36, and I’m wondering if it would be better to just have my teeth extracted and get dentures. What do you think?

Thanks, Howard

Dear Howard

Sorry to hear about your gum disease problem at such a young age, however your teeth sound like there still savable. Bone loss involving six to eight mm pockets is considered moderate periodontal disease and very treatable especially if your teeth have very little or no mobility. Having the periodontal treatment recommended will stop the progression of the disease, therefore will help prevent you from losing your teeth; however it is vital that you develop exceptional oral hygiene habits and have dental cleanings every 3 months to maintain your smile and dental health.

The periodontal surgery can cost about the same as having all your teeth extracted and having dentures placed. Dentures are not like your natural teeth and most people can’t eat some of the foods they are use to. New denture wearers develop sores and gum pain which can end after a while or can last a lifetime especially if the denture is poor fitting. The bone and gums shrink over the years and dentures can become loose, therefore need to be relined or replaced. Upper dentures seem to stay in place better due to the suction we gain from the roof of the mouth, however lower dentures are another story. On the lower arch we do not get the same suction, there is less of a foundation, and the movement of the tongue prevents the lower denture from staying in place most of the time. If you choose to get dentures we would recommend that you consult your dentist about an over-denture on the lower jaw. This consist of having dental implants placed on the lower arch which then attaches to the denture keeping it stable and more comfortable.

We highly recommend that you save your natural teeth if possible. Always remember you will never have another set of teeth like your own and a denture is the last resort one should take.  If you’re concerned how well your teeth will respond to the periodontal surgery and there longevity you should get a second opinion to help you make the best decision for you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Can a tooth infection actually be dangerous?

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I am kind of freaked out about a problem I have with my teeth. One of my molars split in half about 10 days ago. It is the very last molar, right beside where my wisdom teeth used to be. Right after the tooth broke I started having some really weird pains, and they are getting worse. I have pain in my cheek and jaw area, which is not surprising. But then I started having pain in my sinuses and nose, and then in my temple, too. This morning, my neck was really tender when I woke up. That pain starts right next to my ear in the back and radiates all the way around to the front of my neck.

Can ALL of that be from one broken tooth, or is something else going on? Maybe could this be a sinus infection. I have been taking antibiotics that I got from a friend. I know you’re not supposed to do that, but I don’t have any money at all and I have been trying to make this better without going to a doctor or dentist.

Can you help? One of my friends just told me that infections in your mouth can be dangerous. The way the pain is spreading is freaking me out.

Elise in Salt Lake City

Dear Elise,

Your friend is right. Infections in your teeth and mouth can be very dangerous. They can spread to your brain and cause infections there, or endanger your throat and airway. This is not something you should fool around with and taking antibiotics without getting the tooth treated is only making the remaining bacteria resistant to treatment.

You will have to have a root canal treatment, or if the tooth is too damaged to save, an extraction. When your finances turn around, you could consider having a dental implant to replace it, but in the mean time you must address the source of the infection. One way or the other, this must be treated. It will not go away on its own.

Call the local dental society and see if they have a program or clinic where you can get this taken care of for free or a really reduced rate. If that doesn’t yield results, start calling area dentists until you find one that can help you.

This is serious. You need to get it fixed right away.

This blog produced courtesy of the office of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.