Keeping a healthy smile:
The image of grandparents' "teeth" in a drinking glass is a common memory associated with many people's youth. It was believed that as a person got older, tooth loss was inevitable. With the aid of new research and better oral care, members of today's generation are more likely to keep their teeth in their mouth for life.
Research shows that nearly one in three U.S. adults aged 30 to 54 has some form of periodontal, also known as gum disease. This high incidence may not only be related to age but also to other risk factors, suggesting that tooth loss is not an inevitable aspect of aging.
Periodontal diseases are multi-factorial:
This means that there is not just one cause of periodontal diseases but rather multiple factors that can affect the health of your gums.
- TOBACCO
- HORMONAL CHANGES
- GENETICS
- STRESS
- MEDICATIONS
- DESTRUCTIVE HABITS
- POOR NUTRITION
- SYSTEMIC DISEASES
- GINGIVITIS
- CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS
What are the signs of periodontal diseases?
- RED, SWOLLEN OR TENDER GUMS
- BLEEDING WHILE BRUSHING OR FLOSSING
- GUMS PULLING AWAY FROM THE TEETH MAKING TEETH APPEAR LONGER
- LOOSE OR SEPARATING TEETH
- PUS BETWEEN THE GUM AND TOOTH
- PERSISTENT BAD BREATH
- A CHANGE IN THE WAY YOUR TEETH FIT TOGETHER WHEN YOU BITE
- A CHANGE IN THE FIT OF PARTIAL DENTURES
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a periodontist for a complete periodontal examination. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tissues surrounding the teeth. In addition, periodontists are experts in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.
During a periodontal examination, the periodontist will gently place a small measuring instrument called a periodontal probe in the pocket between the teeth and gums to measure pocket depths and help make a diagnosis. Probing depth measuring 1-3mm are usually considered healthy. Four to 5mm may indicate mild periodontists, 5-6mm suggest moderate periodontists, and 7mm or greater may indicate severe periodontists. In addition to probing depth measurements, X-rays may be taken to evaluate the health of the bone supporting the teeth.
How are periodontal diseases treated?
Once your periodontal health has been evaluated, your periodontist will work with you to determine the best treatment options to control your disease and bring you back to health. Treatment can vary depending on how far the disease has progressed. If diagnosed and treated in the early stages, simple non-surgical periodontal therapy may be sufficient. If periodontists has advanced to the point where the periodontal pockets are deep and significant amount of bone are lost, surgical therapy may be necessary.
Once periodontal disease has been controlled, patients will require ongoing periodontal maintenance procedures to sustain health. This ongoing phase of treatment will allow your periodontist to assess your periodontal health and make sure that your infection stays under control or remains eliminated. During these re-evaluation appointments, your mouth will be examined, new calculus and plaque will be removed and, if necessary, your teeth will be polished and your bite will be checked. Periodontal diseases are chronic diseases, just like diabetes. Without careful, ongoing treatment, periodontal diseases can and often do recur.
How can the periodontal diseases be prevented?
Good oral hygiene and professional care are the keys to keeping your teeth for a lifetime. The best way to prevent periodontal diseases and tooth decay is to remove the bacterial plaque by thorough brushing and flossing every day. Good oral hygiene habits will help keep the formation of dental tartar to a minimum.
Regular dental visits that include a periodontal examination are also important to detect any changes in periodontal health and, if necessary, to remove hardened tartar in places that your toothbrush and floss may have missed. A professional cleaning (often called a prophylaxis) at least twice a year is recommended for patients with good periodontal health. If you have had any form of the periodontal diseases, you may need professional maintenance more frequently.
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