Periodontitis
If it has been years since your last dental cleaning, you may have developed periodontal disease. We will be able to detect this within the first assessments of your first cleaning with us. It is imperative to address and treat periodontitis as soon as possible not only for your oral health but your overall systemic health. Patients with periodontitis are at risk for heart attack, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stillbirth with our pregnant patients.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease develops when the bacteria in your mouth grows so much that a new type of bacteria starts to develop. The more aggressive bacteria is what will affect the rest of your body. This bacteria gets into your body from swallowing your own saliva and it enters the blood steam through your mucosa. If gone untreated, it will lead to bleeding gums, gum recession, loose teeth or tooth loss. If you can see in the mirror that your gums are puffy and red or if your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this is a good indicator that you have developed periodontal disease. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call our office today.
How do you treat periodontal disease?
At the very least we will do periodontal therapy to remove the plaque and bacteria that has built up along the years. Since the bacteria eats away at your bone, your hygienist will have to get under your gums to get the plaque out. You will be numb for the procedure, and you will have to come in for two appointments. We will do periodontal therapy on right side at one appointment and left side at the other appointment. After periodontal therapy is complete, we will see you in 6 weeks to evaluate the healing and determine how your cleanings will look in your future. We will have to see you for cleanings more often after receiving periodontal therapy to endure that the bacteria do not develop again. It is important to be diligent with the home care that your hygienist recommends and come in for your periodontal maintenance appointments if you want to avoid any more damage from periodontal disease. In severe cases, we may have to refer you to a periodontist for further intervention.
Can I go back to regular cleanings after periodontal therapy?
No, periodontal disease causes permanent damage, so you are no longer in the stages of prevention. Your cleaning appointments will now be periodontal maintenance appointments and they will be more frequent. You can expect to come in for periodontal maintenance appointments 3-4 months at a time.
How is a periodontal maintenance different from a preventative cleaning?
Due to loss of bone, your hygienist must take extra measures to ensure that your mouth is totally free from plaque and your bacteria count is maintained. You will be getting probing depth evaluation at every appointment instead of once a year. Your x-rays will need to be more thorough so we can see the height of your bone. Your hygienist may need to give you Oraquix gel, irrigation, or antibiotic placement to maintain what have and ensure your state does not get worse.