These Teeth Are Clean!

Back in 2001 I was diagnosed with gingivitis. The treatment: root scaling and planing. A rather painful process by which they numb up half of your mouth and then with a very sharp instrument scrap the surface of your teeth below the gum line until it is extremely smooth. This helps the gums re-attach themselves to the teeth and halt the progress of the disease.

Since I had the procedure my gums have improved. I've had to implement a pretty rigid practice of flossing and my visits to the dentist for cleanings were every three months, but I didn't want to sit through the process of scaling and planing again. At every visit the hygienist would take measurements to see how things were doing. Progress had seemed to be slow and there was talk of repeating the procedure. Urgh.

Then I missed an appointment back in the fall of 2003 because of business travel and I wasn't unable to reschedule until yesterday, 5/13. I was dreading when she took the measurements. I was sure things were going to be bad and another round of scaling and planning were in my future. But as she went around from right to left, top to bottom, she kept calling out that magic measurement: 3. Three millimeters is the size of health gums and I had hit it in spades. Only two or three times did I hit 4, and that was way in the back around a molar. A common problem area for anyone - gingivitis or not.

Even though I hadn't been to the dentist in about nine months, I still managed to get my gingivitis under control. This is a fantastic thing. This is great. I am so happy.