Periodontics

In addition to routine cleanings, we provide diagnosis and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease.

Please read on to learn more about this:

At some point most people will suffer from peridontal disease

Find out what causes it… and what you can do.

What is peridontal disease?

Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. You may have it and not even know it. There are no early warning signs, except for occasional bleeding and redness around the gums when brushing, and mouth odor. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms become more obvious. If left untreated, peridontal disease can lead to loosening of teeth, receding gums, and gum discomfort.

What causes periodontal disease?

Bacteria are the primary cause of periodontal infection. Bacteria form in plaque, which is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms over the teeth and destroys bone. Plaque that is not removed by regular brushing and flossing hardens into tartar over time. You cannot remove tartar (or calculus) on your own. The only way to remove tartar is by a procedure called scaling, which is done by a dentist.

What are the stages of peridontal disease?

Stage 2. Early Periodontitis Early periodontitis occurs when the bacterial infection spreads from the gum to the bone that support the teeth. The bacteria then cause small spaces, or crevices, to form between the gums. These crevices are called pockets. They are deeper than normal spaces, which measure 1 to 3 mm deep. Bacteria in the pocket also can destroy some bone. As the pocket grows and the amount of bacteria increases, the gums recede down the root of the tooth, increasing the pocket depth. Your dentist measures how deep your pocket is with an instrument called a peridontal probe, which is placed in the gum crevice.

Stage 3. Moderate Periodontitis When the gum has crept further down the root, it is called moderate periodontitis. In this stage, up to one-third on your bone has been lost.

Stage 4. Advanced Periodontitis When half or more of the original bone holding the tooth has been lost, and pockets are very deep, it is called advanced periodontitis. The tooth may appear longer because the root is exposed, and the tooth may loosen and eventually fall out, or have to be removed by your dentist.

Don't Wait Until It Hurts

Peridontal disease is painless. It affects 75% of the population and often victims are unaware. It may also affect your overall health. There are warning signs that the American Dental Association and our staff want you to be aware of.

	Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or tooth pick between them?	Yes	No
	Are your gums red, swollen, or tender?	Yes	No
	Are your gums pulling away from your teeth?	Yes	No
	Do you see pus between your teeth and your gums when the gums are pressed?	Yes	No
	Are your permanent teeth loose and separating?	Yes	No
	Is there any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?	Yes	No
	Is there any change in the fit of your partial dentures?	Yes	No
	Do you have persistent bad breath?	Yes	No

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, bring it to the attention of your dentist or hygienist.

Act now and keep your teeth for a lifetime.

The Link Between Gum Disease & Heart Attacks

Previous studies have found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal (gum) disease, but until recently no plausible cause had been suggested. Now studies indicate that the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque may cause blood clots. If these blood clots escape into the bloodstream, there is a corelation to increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.

People with periodontal disease (over one half the adult population) have an infection that causes chronic inflammation of the gums. Also, it is a path for these bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

A recent study describes the association between heart disease and gum disease to be at least as strong as the linkage of heart disease to cholesterol, body weight, or smoking.