Hi; here are some questions we have been asked by patients about periodontal disease and ways to treat it. We hope you find the answers informative and useful.
I recently went to my dentist because I wanted to have my teeth cleaned. Before I could have my teeth cleaned the Dentist said that he needed to perform an examination. He then proceeded to take some x-rays and took some measurements of the gums around my teeth. He told me that I had periodontal (gum) disease and that I needed treatment. What is he talking about and how concerned should I be with this condition?
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most widespread diseases of the human kind. It affects more than 85% of adults age 35-44 in the United States. One of the reasons periodontal disease is so prevalent is because there are more bacteria living in a persons mouth than the number of people on earth. The most invasive and damaging bacteria associated with periodontal disease are anaerobic bacteria.
Bacteria form enzymes that can cause damage by host response, causing breakdown of the collagen fibers that attach the gums to the teeth and that are responsible to hold the proper form and function of the gums.
When these collagen fibers break down, an abnormal sulcus (space between the gum and the teeth) is created. Under normal conditions the sulcus measures up to 3 mm in depth. Healthy gums should not bleed; even when poked at. They also should be pink and firm. The bacteria living in a normal sulcus are predominantly aerobic. Where there is periodontal disease the space between the tooth and the gum becomes deeper since the gums become soft and swollen and pull away from the teeth. The gums also tend to bleed easier (except in smokers) and loose their normal shape. Measuring the space around the gum and the tooth help the Dentist determine the severity of the condition. The bigger the number the bigger the problem. Also the bacteria living in these now called pockets are predominantly anaerobic.
The most obvious concern about gum disease is that it leads to tooth loss, but, there is also extensive research that shows a correlation between Periodontal disease and Cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, Adverse pregnancy, Alzheimer’s disease, Respiratory diseases and some other conditions. When the gum tissue gets inflamed, puffy and bleedy, bacteria very easily make their way into the bloodstream. The whole body is interconnected.
What can be done about gum disease? How can It be treated?
Treatment for gum disease varies depending on the severity of the condition. The treatment can range from deep cleanings (Scaling and root planning) to gum surgery and tooth extraction. By far the best thing that can be done is to keep a healthy oral hygiene routine by flossing daily to reach in between the teeth as well as brushing properly and using mouth rinses. Even after treatment gum disease needs to be controlled daily by practicing a sound oral hygiene routine. The goal is to remove the bacteria and the biofilm that forms on the teeth and the gums.
My Dentist recommended the Perio Protect Method. What is it and how will it help?
The Perio protect method is a non-invasive, comfortable way to treat periodontal disease. The patient wears a custom fabricated tray prescribed by the Dentist and made to fit precisely over the patients teeth and gums. The tray has a special seal that enables the delivery of antimicrobials into the sulcus. The medications to be used and the frequency of application are determined by the Dentist based on a multitude of factors including the severity of the disease. Most commonly the antimicrobial of choice with the perio protect method is a Hydrogene Peroxide gel. Hydrogene peroxide is a natural bi-product and by re-establishing oxygen into the sulcus we can safely eliminate the virulent anaerobic bacteria.
After the proper health is re-established, the Perio Trays are used to maintain the healthy environment. They could be used daily as an adjunct to your healthy oral hygiene routine. You will see that by using the Perio Protect Method, your mouth will be much cleaner and healthier and the Hygienist will have to dig a lot less during your dental hygiene appointments and you will have more comfortable hygiene visits.
We hope this information has been useful. Please visit our website at www.dentalcenterofhollywood.com for more information about the Perio Protect Method and many other dental related subjects.
See you soon and in the meantime remember -an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of care-.
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