Periodontal disease is an inflammation or infection of the bones and gum tissues, or "supporting structures," around the teeth. It can lead to tooth loss and increase the risk of other serious health issues. It is crucial to make the necessary changes to halt, control, or manage this disease. Gum disease is :
How we find it Periodontal
Table 1 shows the several signs and symptoms The Periodontal examination is a routine part of every oral examination for people 18 and older. We not only check for the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease as outlined Table 1, which are the more advanced issues. but measure gum pockets which more effectively alerts us to early problems. To measure, a probe is used, which has a rounded tip and millimeter markings, is gently moved around your gumline to measure, in millimeter increments, the distance from the gumline to the deepest extent of the pocket that surrounds your tooth. Six measurements are recorded around each tooth. When gums are healthy, pockets will measure anywhere from 1 to 4mm. If probing depth are consistently greater than 4mm around the majority of your teeth: and pockets bleeding due to infection .Based on this exam, we will recommend the appropriate treatment for you. It also provides a baseline so the effectiveness of any treatment can be determine at re-evaluation.. necessary radiographs are taken. Treatment decisions are based on the finds from this examination. |
Table 1 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE
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How Gum Disease Progresses
Why do I have Gum Disease? The reason one gets gum disease and the severity at which one gets it mostly depends on one’s health and lifestyle. Table 2 shows the several health and lifestyle related factors that puts you at increased risk of gum disease. In general, anything that decreases your bodies immune system or it’s capacity to heal will decrease your bodies ability to fight gum disease. Smoking As you can see from table 2, smoking is one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Tobacco suppress the body’s ability to fight infection. Tobacco users are two times more likely to develop periodontal disease and are more likely to lose teeth than those who don’t smoke. The severity of periodontal disease is related to the amount of daily tobacco exposure and the number of years you have been exposed. |
RISK FACTORS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE
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Consequences of not seeking treatment
Without gum therapy, the progressive destruction of your gums will continue. You may experience or eventually suffer from bleeding, swollen gums, receding gums, loose teeth, bad breath, painful infections, and tooth loss. Evidence now links gum disease to a variety of health concerns. Table 3 illustrates the increased risk of numerous health problems associated with periodontal disease, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and lung infections. Pregnant women who do not treat their gum disease are at a higher risk of delivering preterm, low birth weight infants. These risk factors and health concerns are supported by numerous studies. We would be pleased to provide you with additional information about the connection between your oral health and overall health. Article: Alzheimer's Gum disease link |
Table 3 Health problems you are at risk of with Gum Disease
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Treatment The goal of periodontal treatment is simply to control the bacteria that causes periodontal disease and the body’s response to it. With treatment we attempt to create an environment that is stable (no disease progression) and maintainable (all areas can be cleaned well by you and your hygienist) Scaling and Root Planing Using hand and ultrasonic instruments, scaling and root planing involves the removal of the bacteria and deposits (plaque and tartar) that have accumulated above and below the gum line in the periodontal pockets. The root surfaces of the teeth are planed (smoothed) to promote healing and to help prevent future bacterial reattachment. Most of the time, scaling and root planing is done in two to four visits. For patient comfort, the gums can be numbed using a local anesthetic. One-quarter of the mouth is usually treated at the time and treatment of each quarter can take 45 minutes to an hour (three to four hours for the entire mouth). Most patients report minimal discomfort Oral Hygiene Instruction Your daily home care is the most important factor in controlling gum disease. So during scaling and root planing appointments, we will review oral hygiene techniques that are aimed at improving your ability to control plaque and to help avoid bacteria from reinfecting the pockets. You also will receive advice on the modification of certain risk factors associated with periodontal disease. Periostat Periostat is a low dose Doxycycline(20mg) which is used in conjunction with Scaling and root planing to help reduce the body’s response to the inflammation. Although doxycycline is typically used as an antibiotic in higher doses, at lower doses it helps slow the breakdown of collagen (the main constitute of bone, ligament and gum tissue), by inhibiting the action of the collagenase enzyme. At low doses Doxycycline has none of the negative side effects of regular dose antibiotics. It is recommended for a period of 3 to 9 months on those with moderate to severe periodontal disease. Directions for use: Twice daily, 1 hour prior to morning and evening meals. Take the capsule with a full glass of water. Information on Periostat Periostat Product sheet Post Treatment Care For several days after a scaling expect Teeth to: · Be sensitive to temperature, · Be sensitive to pressure and biting and · Feel loose · Gums to be tender and bleed more readily Eating to prevent periodontal disease Re-Evaluation Four to six weeks after completion of scaling and root planing, a periodontal re-evaluation must be completed. The purpose of this exam is to assess the response to treatment and determine if there is a need for further treatment. In some cases it may be necessary to refer you to a periodontist (gum specialist) to continue treatment. |
Links and References
www.1stgumdisease.com
www.adha.org/oralhealth
www.perio.org/consumer
www.ada.org/public/topics/gum.html
www.1stgumdisease.com
www.adha.org/oralhealth
www.perio.org/consumer
www.ada.org/public/topics/gum.html