Periodontal Therapy
Experts believe that over half of the adult population in the US has gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis (gum disease) and many other health problems. Gum disease can cause bleeding, swelling, bad breath, pain, receding gums, bone loss, and tooth mobility.
Periodontitis causes a buildup of bacteria between the teeth and gums. That bacteria can transfer to your bloodstream putting you at a much higher risk of developing many other health problems including:
- Stroke
- Ulcers
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Respiratory Disease
- Osteoporosis
- Heart Disease
What to expect during the periodontal treatment procedure?
There are several periodontal treatments available. Our dentists and our experienced hygienists will determine your best course of action. Some options include:
- Scaling and Root Planning – Scaling and root planning is the careful and deep cleaning of the root surface to remove bacteria above and below the gum line. Local anesthesia can be used to dissipate any discomfort. You can have a limited or a full mouth deep cleaning depending on your pocket depths (pockets between your gum and your bone).
- Debridement – it is usually necessary when a patient hasn’t had a cleaning in years. So it is necessary to do a cleaning prior to deep cleaning in order to be able to measure the gums or even do an oral evaluation.
In some more severe cases, surgical options may be needed. These are usually done by a Periodontist (gum specialist). Some of the surgical procedures that may be right for you include:
- Laser Treatment – A more recent advancement in the battle against periodontal disease, lasers can utilize different wavelengths to target the bacteria and deep clean your gums.
- Flap Surgery / Pocket Reduction – The gums are lifted back and tartar is removed. If necessary, irregular surfaces will be smoothed out. This reduces the number of places bacteria can accumulate.
- Soft Tissue Grafts – This procedure fills in the gaps between your gums and teeth reducing the pockets for bacteria to hide. Grafted tissue most often harvested from the roof of your mouth is stitched into place.
- Bone Grafts – Fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone are used in this procedure. Bone grafts replace and help repair damaged bone caused by gum disease.
Treatment and Prevention
In certain cases, periodontal surgery may be recommended to treat periodontal disease when non-surgical treatment is ineffective. We may advise procedures such as pocket reduction, soft tissue grafts, or bone regeneration to treat periodontal disease. If a tooth has been lost due to periodontal disease, dental implants are always an option for permanent tooth replacement.
Good oral hygiene and regular visits with your dentist and periodontist can prevent periodontal disease. Daily brushing and flossing can keep plaque to a minimum and, in conjunction with professional cleanings 2-4 times a year, can keep your teeth healthy for life.
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GENERAL TIPS FOR A HEALTHY DIET AND A HEALTHY MOUTH
- Limit your child’s consumption of sugary foods and beverages. When plaque combines with the sugars and starches, an acid is produced that attacks enamel on the teeth, and eventually causes decay.
- Make sure your youngster’s diet includes a balance of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy products. The nutrients found in these foods are crucial to his or her growth and health.
- Look for sugar in unexpected places. Many foods that make up a balanced, healthy diet contain sugar — including fruit, some vegetables, and milk. The best time to eat these is during meals, not as a snack.
- Speaking of snacks, limit your youngster’s snacking to only a few per day, and make sure they’re nutritious!
- Fun foods, like candy and starchy snacks, should be reserved for special occasions, not everyday snacking.
- When he or she is old enough, let your child chew sugar-free gum that carries the ADA seal. Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow, which washes away food debris and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria.
- Ensure your little one brushes twice a day and flosses to eliminate food debris that leads to harmful plaque and bacteria and causes tooth decay.