CLEANS AND OTHER PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS

Your teeth are not the only important part of your mouth. Your gums are essential to oral hygiene as well. We provide dental prophylaxis (teeth cleanings) and treatment, or refer you to one of our recommended specialists if necessary.

Teeth Cleaning (Dental Prophylaxis)

A dental prophylaxis (teeth cleaning) is a procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for stopping the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease and is an effective measure in keeping the oral cavity in proper health and halting the progression of gum disease.

Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleaning Include :

• Plaque and Tartar (also referred to as calculus) removal . This buildup, both above and below the gum line, can result in serious periodontal problems. Unfortunately, even with a proper home brushing and flossing routine, it can be impossible to remove all debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dentist or hygienist using specialized dental equipment is necessary to catch damaging buildup.

• A healthier looking smile . Stained and yellowed teeth can dramatically decrease the esthetics of a smile. Dental prophylaxis is an effective treatment in ridding the teeth of these unsightly stains.

• Fresher breath . Bad breath (or halitosis) can be caused by a number of factors namely,
  • rotting food particles (possibly below the gum line)
  • pus from gum infection.
  • build- up of food on the tongue
  • diet

The routine removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria at our office can noticeably improve halitosis and reduce infection.

We recommend that dental prophylaxis be performed twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be completed every 3-4 months for patients who require more frequent treatment.

Periodontal Treatment

A procedure used to treat Gum disease (also known as Periodontal disease or Periodontitis).

Gum disease is caused by bacterial plaque( plaque is a thin film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums).

The bacteria in the plaque convert the sugar in food particles into acid which in turn cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it hardens into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they will initially cause Gingivitis where the gums turn red, become swollen and bleed easily and if prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. The pockets offer a sheltered environment for the disease-causing bacteria to reproduce. If the infection remains untreated, it can spread from the gum tissues into the bone that supports the teeth. Should destruction of the gums and bone occur this is called Periodontal Disease and your teeth may loosen and eventually be lost.

When treating Gum disease, it is often best to begin with a non-surgical approach consisting of one or more of the following:

• Deep Cleaning Therapy- Scaling and Root Planing

The initial stage of treatment for periodontal disease is usually a thorough cleaning that may include scaling and root planing. The objective of these non-surgical procedures is to remove dental plaque and tartar, or calculus, which cause gingival inflammation and disease.They are commonly performed on cases of gingivitis to more moderate to severe periodontal disease.

Benefits of Periodontal Treatment

If successful, scaling and planning may have many periodontal benefits.

• Disease Prevention . Research has proven that bacteria from periodontal infections can travel through the blood stream and affect other areas of the body, sometimes causing heart and respiratory diseases. Scaling and root planing remove bacteria that cause these conditions.

• Plaque and Tartar (also referred to as calculus) removal.

• Saving teeth. When gum pockets exceed 3mm in depth, the risk for periodontal disease increases. As pockets deepen, more bacteria are able to colonize, eventually causing a chronic inflammatory response by the body which leads to the destruction of gingival and bone tissue. This leads to tooth loss.

• Fresher breath . Reduces bad breath caused by the food particles and bacteria in the oral cavity

• Nicer smile . Superficial stains on the teeth will be removed during scaling and planing, adding an extra bonus to the procedure.

Other Care

• Antibiotics/Antimicrobials.

As gum disease progresses, periodontal pockets and bone loss can result in the formation of tiny, hard to reach areas that are difficult to clean with handheld instruments. Sometimes it's best to try to disinfect these relatively inaccessible places with a prescription antimicrobial rinse (usually containing chlorhexidine), or even antibiotics . These are used only on a short-term basis, because it isn't desirable to suppress beneficial types of oral bacteria.

Supportive Periodontal Care

After our Dental Professional has completed the active phase of periodontal treatment and your periodontal disease is under control, you will be provided with a personalized maintenance program of care to keep your gums healthy.

Maintenance therapy is an ongoing program designed to prevent disease in the gum tissues and bone supporting your teeth. Adherence to a program of conscientious home oral care and regularly scheduled maintenance visits will give you an excellent chance of keeping your teeth for your lifetime.

Why is supportive periodontal care important?

As you have learned, you are susceptible to gum disease. And, you have probably learned too that the main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in this plaque produce toxins, or poisons, which constantly attack your gums and teeth. Unless plaque is removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Daily brushing and flossing will help to minimize the formation of calculus, but it won’t completely prevent it. No matter how careful you are in cleaning your teeth and gums, bacterial plaque can cause a recurrence of gum disease from two to four months after your last professional cleaning. Therefore, a dental professional must check for hidden problems and remove the hardened plaque at timed intervals appropriate for you so that your teeth and gums stay healthy.

How often should you have supportive periodontal care visits?

Your periodontal condition is the deciding factor. The interval between your supportive periodontal care visits might be as often as every 3 months or as frequent as every six months. Everyone’s situation is different. The frequency of your supportive care visits will be influenced by:

• the type of periodontal disease you have
• your response to treatment
• your rate of plaque growth
• your personal commitment to good oral care at home.

Oral Hygiene. Since dental plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease, it's essential to remove it on a daily basis. This means you will play a large role in keeping your mouth disease-free. You will be instructed in the most effective brushing and flossing techniques, and given recommendations for products that you should use at home. Then you will be encouraged to keep up the routine daily. Becoming an active participant in your own care is the best way to ensure your periodontal treatment succeeds. And while you're focusing on your oral health, remember that giving up smoking helps not just your mouth, but your whole body.