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Periodontal treatment is required when the patient is experiencing symptoms of gum disease. A visit with your dentist will identify if you require a periodontal deep cleaning, also known as root planing and scaling. Gum Disease Symptoms Bleeding gums – Gum tissue may bleed if brushed too aggressively or a hard bristle toothbrush is used. It is not necessary to scrub teeth to control plaque build-up. If gums bleed without provocation, visit your dentist. Red, tender, or swollen gums – The appearance of gum tissue can be an indicator that inflammation and plaque build-up are leading to the onset of gingivitis. Chronic Bad Breath – Certain foods and beverages can result in bad breath; however, if your breath is constantly sour, you may be suffering from gum disease. Loose or painful teeth – Do not delay seeing your dentist; if gum tissue appears to be pulling away from one or more teeth, this is another sign of gum disease. Root Planing and Scaling A deep cleaning involves going beneath the gum line and scraping away plaque, and smoothing the surfaces of the roots to help prevent recurrence. This is usually the first treatment suggested in the early stages of gum disease. If there is any indication of periodontitis (the advanced stage of gum disease), more aggressive treatment options may be recommended. Causes of Gum Disease In some cases, genetics can play a role; however, there are other factors that contribute to the development of gum disease. Neglect – Patients need to brush at least twice daily and floss every day to remove what their toothbrush missed. Regular visits with the dentist to have teeth cleaned is necessary for good oral health. Smoking/Tobacco Use – Everyone knows that smoking is detrimental to your overall health; but patients that use tobacco are much more likely to experience gum disease and tooth loss. Diet – The regular consumption of sugary snacks and beverages can lead to gum disease and dental decay. It is important to note that even the most vigilant person might be faced with the need for root planing and scaling or other periodontal treatment; if treatment is recommended, a frank discussion with your dentist will identify the factors that might be contributing to your condition. Follow your dentist’s advice, use an antibacterial rinse if prescribed, and brush/floss every day to maintain optimum dental health.
If you’ve already experienced one episode of gum disease, you face a much higher risk of developing this condition again in the future. Therefore, it’s essential that you follow the guidance of your dentist in regard to your home oral hygiene routine as well as follow-up professional care and monitoring. Periodontal treatment becomes necessary when the inflammation associated with gum diseases causes symptoms that need to be addressed, such as bleeding, swelling or redness of the gums, or in more advanced phases, gum recession and loosening of the teeth. That inflammation is caused by a buildup of oral bacteria. Therefore, if you can minimize the presence of those bacteria, you can reduce your risk of future bouts with gum disease that might warrant further periodontal treatment. Unsurprisingly, a solid daily oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing is the foundation of maintaining your oral health after receiving periodontal treatment. Be sure to brush twice each day for two minutes each session, using proper technique. Believe it or not if you brush too hard or too long, you may actually be doing more damage to your smile. Effective flossing is also a must to clean the spaces that your toothbrush can’t reach. You must also continue to follow up with your dentist after getting treatment for gum disease. It’s generally good practice to get an exam and professional cleaning every six months, whether you have a history of gum disease or not. If you do have a history of gum disease, your dentist may advise for more frequent cleanings to minimize bacteria and check-ins to monitor for signs of a recurrence. If you have already received one course of gum disease treatment, it’s important to maintain your oral health to make a recurrence less likely. Follow the guidelines offered by your providers, and speak with one of our knowledgeable professionals if you have any questions about your home oral care regimen or the professional care that you receive on an ongoing basis. We want to support you in your efforts to preserve a healthy, beautiful smile! Contact our office today!
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the biggest and most common threats to your oral health. Without periodontal treatment, gum disease can advance into a destructive condition that causes tooth loss, bone deterioration, and a chronic oral infection. There are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing gum disease. Dental professionals strongly encourage patients to adopt a thorough and meticulous oral hygiene regimen and visit the dentist twice a year. Why is oral hygiene so important? Practicing proper oral hygiene is your daily defense against oral health problems. Brushing and flossing is important for removing the day’s debris from food and bacterial deposits of plaque, which can harden into tartar when left unremoved. Many people forego flossing because they believe that brushing is enough. Flossing must be done every day to clean between teeth and along the gum line where a brush can’t reach. If patients do not brush and floss properly, they will develop tartar buildup, which is a major contributor to gum disease. What are symptoms of periodontal disease? Symptoms of gum disease can vary depending on its stage. Early stage gum disease can be asymptomatic. Common symptoms include bleeding gums when brushing and flossing, recession of the gum line, tender and swollen gums, and loosening teeth. What can my dentist do about gum disease? If our team detects signs of gum disease, we will develop and recommend a periodontal treatment plan. Normally, deep cleanings called scaling and root planing are prescribed. Scaling and root planing are two procedures that are often performed the same day. Breaking the mouth into quadrants, scaling and root planing is performed in increments. These treatments involve removing tartar accumulation on and below the surface of the gums and then smoothing the roots of teeth to prevent the attachment of new tartar. Other treatments may involve prescribing antibiotics and surgical procedures. To learn more about preventing and treating gum disease, call the office of Dr. Barry H. Buchanan to reserve an appointment!
Inflamed gums are a sign of gum disease, so patients may be surprised to develop this symptom if they are conscientious about brushing and flossing every day. There are a number of factors that can cause gum disease, even in patients who practice good oral hygiene habits on a daily basis. First of all, your brushing and flossing may not be doing you good if you’re using an improper technique. Are you brushing for two minutes, twice a day? If not, you may not be removing enough plaque to prevent gum disease. The same is true if you’re not flossing thoroughly. The next time you visit the dentist, check in to make sure that you’re brushing and flossing the right way. Speaking of visits to the dentist, are you coming in for exams and professional cleanings at least twice a year? This level of care is also essential to keeping plaque to a minimum. If you think you’re doing enough with your home routine and don’t need to come see us at all, you may be increasing your risk of gum disease. Other factors not related to oral hygiene can also increase your risk of developing gum disease, including smoking, genetic factors, hormonal changes, systemic diseases like diabetes or bruxism (grinding your teeth). If any of these apply to you, you may need to be more vigilant about your home oral hygiene regimen and your professional care. It’s important to remember that gum disease is a progressive condition that results in more serious symptoms in its advanced stages. So, if you notice signs of inflammation in your gums and act quickly to get periodontal treatment, you can avoid significant issues like gum recession or even tooth or bone loss. Furthermore, periodontal treatment is less invasive for milder forms of gum disease. For example, gingivitis—the earliest stage of gum disease—typically responds well to a thorough professional cleaning. While advanced periodontitis may require a more intensive treatment, like root planing and scaling, or even a surgical procedure. Patients who have symptoms of inflamed gums, like redness, swelling or bleeding, should contact our office as soon as possible for prompt periodontal treatment.
Patients who get treatment for gum disease in its earliest stages generally find that the interventions are less invasive and disruptive to their lives. However, as the condition advances, it requires more involved treatments. In some cases, serious gum disease can even contribute to bone and tooth loss, posing the potential need for surgical placement of dental implants. If you monitor your gums for signs of disease, like bleeding, swelling or redness, you may be able to avoid a more aggressive periodontal treatment. Early stage gum disease, known as gingivitis, usually responds to a thorough professional cleaning that you can get at your dentist. Seeing your dentist every six months will help you stay on top of gum disease and increase your chances of having it diagnosed in milder forms. When your gums are monitored regularly, a professional can intervene before the gum disease has the opportunity to progress. Another consideration about periodontal treatment is that a general dentist can typically address gingivitis, but when more significant symptoms emerge, such as pockets between the gums and the teeth, the patient may need to get care from a periodontist. This specialized type of care can be more expensive and require more time for recuperation, neither of which is likely to appeal to patients. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to avoid advanced gum disease. First of all, maintain a thorough home oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. You should also visit our office at least every six months for professional cleanings as well as exams. In combination, these actions can significantly reduce your risk of periodontitis. Patients who want to prevent the negative effects of periodontitis and other severe forms of gum disease should pay attention to symptoms they may notice at home as well as check in with our office for exams and cleanings at least every six months. If you’ve gotten out of the habit of semi-annual routine appointments, call us at the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan to schedule one and get back on track.
Did you know that approximately four out of every five adults will develop some form of periodontal disease in their lifetimes? Gum (periodontal) disease is an extremely dangerous condition to one’s oral health – especially when it is in its advanced stages or goes untreated. Since gum disease has such devastating effects on people’s health, our dentist provides periodontal treatment that helps heal and preserve damaged oral tissue. How Gum Disease Begins The most common cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque and tartar from inadequate or improper oral hygiene. Over time, these substances will build up in the sulcus (the pocket where the gums and teeth meet). As tartar collects in this space, the sulcus will deepen and the gums will ultimately become inflamed and infected. Tartar buildup cannot be removed by brushing or flossing and without professional dental cleanings, this substance will cause the gums to pull away from teeth. Eventually, the roots of teeth will be exposed to the irritants in the mouth. As the gums continue to recede, teeth will lack support and become loose. Advanced gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and the condition can erode bone mass, too. Periodontal Treatment As with many other conditions, early detection normally means that a patient will receive less invasive treatment. If gum disease is caught early on, the condition can be remedied by practicing improved oral hygiene and receiving one or two professional cleanings to remove tartar. If gum disease is advanced, however, more specialized treatment is necessary. Progressive gum disease may require deep prophylaxis called scaling and root planing. These two procedures are normally done in increments. Scaling involves accessing the innermost structure of the gums to remove infected tissue, debris, and tartar while root planing involves gently smoothing the roots of teeth to prevent new tartar deposits. In some instances, patients may be prescribed antibiotics and special mouth rinses to combat the infection associated with gum disease. A gum graft may be recommended for more advanced stages of gum disease. To schedule periodontal treatment or an examination with our dentist, contact the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan today.
Gum disease can have serious consequences for your general health, as well as your oral health. If you notice signs of this condition, it’s important to get periodontal treatment as soon as possible, before the disease has time to progress to a more advanced form. Gingivitis, which is the mildest form of gum disease and is marked by red, swollen or bleeding gums, can typically be treated with a thorough professional cleaning. Some patients may need to take medications as well, and these medications may be administered in the dentist’s office or the patient may take them at home. When patients fail to address gingivitis, the condition will become more severe. Pockets may form between the gums and the teeth, and the teeth can become loose. In the most advanced cases, tooth and bone loss can occur as a result of gum disease. More invasive periodontal treatment is required for these advanced stages of the condition. For example, the dentist may need to use special instruments or lasers to remove plaque and bacteria that have accumulated under the gum tissue. This procedure requires at least a local anesthetic, and some patients may opt for sedation as well for additional comfort. A patient with more advanced gum disease may need to undergo surgery to augment gum tissue that has receded or re-contour bone that has been compromised by the bacteria. However, if you act before your gum disease reaches this point, your dentist may be able to help you avoid surgery. After you’ve had one episode of gum disease, you are at risk for a relapse, so be sure to take good care of your smile at home by brushing and flossing and follow up with professional dental care and exams at least every six months for ongoing monitoring of your gum tissue. When gum disease is identified early, many patients are able to avoid surgical treatments for the condition. If you spot any symptoms, like redness or bleeding in your gums or pockets between the gums and the teeth, consult with our experienced team of dental professionals to learn what treatment options may be available to you.