Hygiene Services
Maintaining Your Oral Health
McDonough dentists Dr. Gary Bartholomew, Dr. Alex Bartholomew work together with our dental hygienists to monitor your dental health and perform preventive treatments to keep your smile looking and feeling its best.
Routine Cleanings & Check-ups
Regular visits to the dentist have been proven to help prevent dental decay and gum disease. We recommend that our patients visit our office every 3-6 months for a routine dental examination and cleaning.
During these check-up and cleaning visits, we will take necessary digital x-rays, and one of our dentists (‘Dr. B.’ or ‘Dr. Alex’) will perform a thorough dental examination to evaluate the condition of the teeth, gums and jaw joints. We may also recommend fluoride treatments or sealants to make your child's teeth more resistant to tooth decay.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal Disease (gum disease) is a progressive disease that begins when harmful bacteria organize and infect the gums. As the disease spreads, the jaw bone also becomes infected and healthy bone is slowly destroyed.
If left untreated, periodontal disease can break down enough bone and gum tissue to cause teeth in the affected area to become loose and eventually fall out.
The challenge of dental bone loss is that once it is gone, it is difficult to replace. Dental bone grafting procedures are possible but can be costly. Our role as your dental health care partner is to prevent periodontal disease and bone loss.
Common signs of periodontal disease are bleeding or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums or ‘loose’ teeth that do not have a history of trauma. Stress, smoking and poor nutrition can also be contributing factors to gum disease.
The Periodontal Disease Health Connection
Every day, research confirms the links between oral health and the overall health of the body. Studies show that there is a link between the type of bacteria that cause periodontal disease and increased risk of heart disease or stroke. Inflammation related to periodontal disease can also contribute to complications in diabetic patients.
Treatment of Periodontal Disease
If detected early, periodontal disease may be treated in our McDonough dental office with nonsurgical treatment, known as root planing. Root planing is performed by our dental hygienists to remove hardened plaque deposits and toxins from the root surfaces of the teeth. With effective home care and regular follow-ups, root planing and periodontal maintenance therapy can be very effective in preventing recurrence of periodontal disease or further bone loss.
In some cases, surgical procedures may be required to treat bone loss or advanced infection. We may refer this type of case to a gum specialist, a ‘periodontist’, to maintain an assertive approach to this detrimental disease.
Your Health is Important. Tooth loss associated with periodontal disease can be devastating - and costly. We encourage our patients to maintain a consistent home care routine of brushing and flossing, combined with regular preventive visits to our McDonough dental office.
We want all our patients to enjoy a lifetime of great dental health.
Please Contact Bartholomew Comprehensive Dental Care to schedule your next preventive visit and let us take care of your smile!
“After our former dentist (of 39 years) retired, we dreaded finding a new dental practice. Dr. Bartholomew & staff were referred to us by our family, and we have been very pleased. The Doctors Bartholomew (father & son team) are excellent as well as the hygienist team. We're very very pleased and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.”
— Marilyn E.