Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease

The word periodontal means “around the tooth”. Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.

Not only is it the number one reason for tooth loss, but research also suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Researchers are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affect these systemic diseases and conditions. Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease.

Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:

• Bleeding gums - Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.
• Loose teeth - Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).
• New spacing between teeth - Caused by bone loss.
• Persistent bad breath - Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
• Pus around the teeth and gums - Sign that there is an infection present.
• Receding gums - Loss of gum around a tooth.
• Red and puffy gums - Gums should never be red or swollen.
• Tenderness or Discomfort - Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.

Periodontal Disease - Diagnosis

Periodontal disease is diagnosed by Sr. Sevey or a dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular Creative Dental Solutions dental check-up.

A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.

Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis that will fall into a category below:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed.

Periodontitis

Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque continue to build up, the gums begin to recede from the teeth. Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become very irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.

Advanced Periodontitis

The teeth lose more support as the gums, bone, and periodontal ligament continue to be destroyed. Unless treated, the affected teeth will become very loose and may be lost. Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may be present.

Periodontal Disease - Treatment

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Dr. Sevey and his 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. This may take from one to four visits depending on the extent of periodontal damage and local anesthetic may be needed for your comfort. 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 (planing). We also employ the use of specialized dental lasers to help in the treatment of the diseased sites. These procedures help 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 promote healing.

If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, additional periodontal treatments may be needed to reduce pocket depths and create a healthy environment. You may be a candidate for some of the newer techniques that can actually replace bone that has been lost in the periodontal disease process. We may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (a specialist of the gums and supporting bone) for further evaluation and treatment.

Periodontal Disease - Maintenance

It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)! Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.

Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, Dr. Sevey and his dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually four times a year. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to to monitor the status of your periodontal condition. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.

Periodontal disease is a condition that requires constant vigilance to keep it under control. Adequate home care procedures and the maintenance visits are crucial in this regard. Creative Dental Solutions is committed to helping you do what is needed to keep your teeth!

Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control!

 

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