Have you been told that you need a “deep cleaning”?
Did you know that the irreversible loss of the valuable bone around your teeth happens without you feeling anything?
A dental cleaning is one of the most important things that you can do to protect and preserve your teeth for smiling and eating. There are many different ways to clean teeth and gums depending on what your current state of health is. At SRQ Dentistry, we give you a very thorough examination of your jaws and gums to help us recommend what type of cleaning to recommend to you depending on what you want for your dental health.
There is a big difference between someone who needs routine cleaning to maintain an already healthy mouth and someone who requires a special type of cleaning to address bone loss, bleeding and gum swelling around their teeth.
In periodontal disease or “gum disease” there are larger populations of more harmful and destructive bacteria present. These bacteria cause irreversible destruction to your jaw bone and other supporting structures that ultimately lead to tooth loss. Because the bone around your teeth never grows back, early detection and treatment is very important!
At SRQ Dentistry, our exclusive Periodontal Package is an affordable program that is designed to help you treat your gums and maintain them after treatment is complete. Call us today and let us know how we can help.
TYPES OF GUM DISEASE
GINGIVITIS
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Accumulated bacteria, or PLAQUE, causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care. Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and can eventually lead to tooth loss and other health problems.
PERIODONTITIS
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, bacteria can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria will damage the tissues and bone that support the teeth causing the gums to separate from the teeth forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, these pockets will deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild to no symptoms (i.e. pain, discomfort, etc.). Eventually, teeth will become loose and may have to be removed.
PREVENTING PERIODONTAL DISEASE
If left untreated, the inflammation of gum disease can cause the gums and supporting bone structure to deteriorate. This can lead to the loss of gum tissue, bone and teeth. In addition, research has shown that gum disease may be associated with other diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Luckily, periodontal disease can be preventable. Adding these habits to your daily routine can help.
• EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT. Once you lose gum and bone tissue from gum disease, you don’t get it back. Schedule a complete examination to find out if you have any signs of early bone loss so you can receive treatment to stop it before it becomes too serious.
• BRUSH YOUR TEETH REGULARLY. Brushing after meals helps remove food debris and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums.
Don’t forget to include your tongue, bacteria loves to hide there.
• REGULAR FLOSSING. Flossing at least once a day helps remove food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gum line that your toothbrush can’t quite reach.
• USING MOUTHWASH. Using the right kind of mouthwash in addition to good regular cleaning habits can help reduce plaque and can remove remaining food particles that brushing and flossing missed. Ask Dr. Lirio what kind of mouthwash can help you best.
GUM DISEASE RISK FACTORS
Factors that may contribute to gum disease include age, smoking and tobacco use, genetic predisposition, systemic diseases and conditions, stress, inadequate nutrition, puberty, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, diabetes, substance abuse, HIV infection, and certain medication use.
TREATMENT
SCALING AND ROOT PLANING AND MAINTENCE
Scaling and root planing is a careful, non-surgical cleaning of the root surfaces to remove bacteria that has grown deep below the gums. The toxins released by this bacteria is what causes bone destruction and gum tissue to separate from the tooth. Antibiotics are used in conjunction with this special type of cleaning to help remove the bacteria and their toxins from these deep POCKETS and to smooth the tooth root to help allow the tissue reattach. Your oral health will be reevaluated after completing therapy.
Based upon the status of your periodontal disease, maintenance cleanings every three or four months will be recommended to prevent relapse.
