A healthy smile is a beautiful smile!
When you eliminate gum disease you lower your risk for heart disease and other health problems.
Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!
If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.
If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called Scaling and Root Planning (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planning). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.
If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Dr. Cole or Dr. Chasen may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bone).
"Just a cleaning" or prophy is a procedure that involves the cleaning of your teeth from primarily your gums and up. It may involve all hand scaling or a combination of hand scaling and ultrasonic scaling followed by a polishing with a fine paste.
When a patient has been through Scaling and Root Planings due to the presence of gum disease, the patient is placed on a more frequent recall, usually 3 months apart. These types of cleanings are called Periodontal Maintenance. To inhibit the periodontal diseases growth and or spread, periodontal maintenance provides a less invasive technique in its management.
Once you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, management is key to success. Those with the disease are more prone to relapse back into the disease if scheduled visits are not made.
These visits are more involved than a routine prophy appointment.
Recent research reveals that gum disease is linked to increased risk for major overall health problems, including but not limited to stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, low birth weight and most recently, dementia. Because of these findings, research continues. We may learn much more in the next few years.
It makes perfect sense, though - gum disease linked to overal health problems. Everything that enters or is present in the mouth has access to the whole body. The mouth is like a portal to the body. That's why regular checkups and hygiene visits are vital to not only oral health but also overal health.