Everything You Need to Know About Dental Exam Numbers

Have you ever wondered what your dentist means when they call out numbers during your dental exam? These numbers refer to the health of your gums and specific teeth. Gum and teeth health are crucial to overall health and well-being. Therefore, keeping an eye on them and maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. This blog post will provide you with everything you need to know about dental exam numbers, specifically concerning gum disease. We’ll also cover some services from high-quality providers like St. George Dental Care to treat gum disease and promote good oral health.

Dental Exam Numbers

During a dental exam, dentists use a numbering system to refer to your gums’ health and identify specific teeth that may need attention. Each tooth is assigned a number based on its location in your mouth, and the dentist calls out this number to record any issues they notice. The dentist may also use numbers to indicate the depth of gum pockets, a measure of gum health.

Measuring the Health of Gums

During your routine dental exam, your dentist often calls out numbers such as one, two, three, or four. While these numbers might seem like gibberish to you, they refer to the pockets formed due to gum disease. These pockets can harbor bacteria and lead to further complications if left untreated. By measuring the depth of these pockets, your dentist can determine the severity of your gum disease and the appropriate course of treatment. So next time you hear those numbers being called out, remember that they play a vital role in your dental health.

Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth caused by the accumulation of bacteria in dental plaque. The two types of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be reversed with proper oral hygiene and professional cleaning. On the other hand, periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease that requires surgical intervention. The causes of gum disease include poor oral hygiene, smoking and tobacco use, genetic predisposition, certain medications, and health conditions.

Treating Gum Disease

Preventing gum disease involves brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice daily, regular professional dental cleanings, and avoiding smoking and tobacco use. For non-surgical treatments, scaling and root planing deep clean the pockets, and antibiotics control the bacterial infection. Flap surgery is a surgical treatment that removes infected tissue and reduces the pocket depth while bone and tissue grafts regenerate lost bone and gum tissue.

Other Dental Issues Tracked by Numbers

In addition to gum disease, cavities are also tracked using numbers to indicate the severity and location of decay. Other dental issues tracked using numbers include tooth fractures and cracks, tooth loss and replacement, and restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. Monitoring gum and teeth health is crucial to overall health and well-being. Regular dental exams and good oral hygiene can prevent and treat various dental issues, including gum disease. Here at St. George Dental Care, we offer various dental services to treat gum disease and promote good oral health. Contact St. George Dental Care today to schedule a dental cleaning appointment or with any further questions regarding your oral health. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer all of your questions.

Contact St. George Dental Care Today

Request an appointment here: https://www.stgeorgedentalcare.com or call St. George Dental Care at (435) 628-9099 for an appointment in our St George office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

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