Cleanings & Gum Disease Treatment

gum cleaning

Dr. Khetani uses an ultrasonic scaler to provide gentle, thorough maintenance cleanings and effective treatment for mild to moderate gum disease.

Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

gum disease illistrationRegular dental cleanings combined with good home oral care are vital to keeping your teeth and gums healthy over time. Dr. Khetani provides gentle, comfortable cleanings and educates patients on effective home oral care techniques so they can keep their oral health in optimum condition between visits.

Gum disease is an important factor that can deteriorate oral health, and is the number one cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. During your initial exam, Dr. Khetani will inspect your teeth and gums to determine the presence of any gum disease. If any gum disease is found, it will be effectively dealt with using high-tech instrumentation and procedures.

Thorough, Gentle Teeth Cleanings

Dr. Khetani takes great care to clean your teeth gently and at a pace you find comfortable. She uses a topical numbing agent that requires no injection to ensure there is no unpleasant sensation during the cleaning.

Ultrasonic scaler

In addition to hand instruments, Dr. Khetani uses an ultrasonic scaler to gently but thoroughly remove accumulated bacterial plaque and tartar from your teeth. Ultrasonic scalers use high-frequency vibrations to break up the bacterial deposits, and clean deeper and more comfortably than conventional cleaning instruments.

Patient education

Doctor with patient

Dr. Khetani will show you the most effective techniques for brushing and flossing.

As part of your cleaning appointment, Dr. Khetani will advise you on best home oral care practices. She will give you personal instruction on the most effective brushing and flossing techniques, and will show you the best tools to use to clean your teeth and gums at home. She will show you where your bacterial deposits are on a large monitor, so you know where to focus the most attention when you brush and floss.

Comfortable, Effective Gum Disease Treatment

gum diseaseGum disease is a continuous infection stemming from a buildup of bacteria on your teeth known as plaque. As more bacteria accumulate, they harden into deposits known as calculus (or tartar). The toxins emitted by these bacterial deposits cause inflammation of the gums, erosion of the teeth and loss of supporting gum and bone tissue.

Dr. Khetani treats mild to moderate gum disease and follows it up with regular hygiene maintenance cleanings to continue to keep the disease at bay. In cases of severe gum disease, she will have you see a trusted local specialist.

Scaling and root planing

PerioscopyDr. Khetani uses the ultrasonic scaler to effectively and gently remove hard deposit of gum-disease-causing bacteria during a procedure known as “scaling.” The vibrations generated by the scaler also destroy the cell walls of the bacterial, thus killing them.

After scaling, she smooths the surfaces of the tooth roots (known as “root planing”), to clean off any residual bacteria and create a smooth surface. This makes it difficult for new bacteria to lodge.

Antibiotic therapy

When needed, Dr. Khetani uses Arestin® antibiotic therapy as an additional means of eliminating the bacteria that cause gum disease. With Arestin® therapy, topical antibiotic microspheres are placed directly onto the infected tissues to remove any bacteria remaining after scaling and root planing. The active ingredient is gradually released over a period of about three weeks, so that any new bacteria are also eliminated, before they are able to take hold.

Maintenance cleanings

Dr. Khetani will schedule you for regular maintenance cleanings (usually about every three months), and will monitor your oral condition at each appointment. She will continue to assist you with home oral care instruction and advice as needed to ensure you are equipped to take the best possible care of your teeth at home.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The following are symptoms of gum disease. If you are experiencing any of these, you should come and see Dr. Khetani for an examination as soon as possible:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Painful chewing
  • Teeth that have shifted position
  • Teeth that are loose
  • Receding gums that make your teeth appear longer than normal
  • Persistent bad breath that will not go away
  • An abscess below your gumline

Come and See Us

Gum disease is often difficult to notice in yourself, as it usually shows no symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. That is why it is important to get regular dental checkups, and to come and see us as soon as possible if you have not been to a dentist in a while. Gum disease is much easier to treat when it is caught early.

Dr. Khetani will be happy to conduct a full examination and let you know the condition of your oral health. If it is found you have gum disease, she will take fast action to help you reverse it and keep it under control.

$49 New Patient Special

If you are a new patient, you can take advantage of our $49 special offer for digital X-rays and a comprehensive oral exam with Dr. Khetani. Your visit will include:

Doctor and Patient

  • Digital X-Rays
  • Comprehensive oral exam
  • Consultation with the doctor
  • Discuss treatment options
  • Get all your questions answered

Usual value: $250!

To make an appointment, call 408‑564‑6149 or click here to request an appointment online.