Periodontal care is a branch of dentistry focused on the specialized treatment and care of the gums and other tooth-supporting structures. These supporting structures include the gums, cementum, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament. Periodontal care helps prevent periodontal diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis, both of which could lead to the loosening and eventual falling out of teeth.
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47.2% of adults aged 30 yrs and older have some form of periodontal disease.
Your Milton dentist will first conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums. This examination typically involves assessing the gums for swelling, checking gum recessions, and taking X-rays to identify and determine the extent of dental decay (if necessary). These assessments and examinations form the groundwork for the next step.
The dentist will use the information from the examination to create a treatment plan. This plan outlines recommended treatments, timelines for the said treatments, and the patient’s expectations. Dentists might recommend surgical or non-surgical treatments, depending on the condition of your gums.
The dentist will treat your gums following recommendations from your treatment plan. If you’re scheduled for non-surgical treatment, the treatment might include root planing that involves removing plaque and tartar from the gum line or prescription antibiotics. The dentist might recommend surgical treatments for more severe cases. These surgical treatments include flap surgery, bone grafting, and gum grafting.
After the treatment, the dentist will furnish you with instructions for taking care of your gums to ensure they remain strong and healthy. The dentist might also schedule follow-up visits to clean your gums and assess the treatment progress. Maintaining these follow-up appointments is vital for healthy gums.
Deep cleaning involves using various techniques and dental equipment to thoroughly clean your gums. This cleaning gets rid of bacteria and debris accumulated on the gums and below the gum line. Sometimes dentists also deep clean the teeth to ensure a beautiful smile.
Scaling involves using manual or ultrasonic scalers to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth’s surface and gum line. The dentist carefully inserts these instruments into the periodontal pockets, then gently scrape the plaque and tartar away. Ultrasonic scrapers, on the other hand, employ a combination of high-frequency vibrations and a water spray to remove the plaque from teeth. Root planing comes after scaling and involves smoothing the surface of the roots, cleaning them, and ensuring they remain free of toxins.
The risk for periodontal disease increases with age?
Gum disease occurs in five stages. The first stage is bleeding, where the gums bleed while brushing or flossing. The second stage is gingivitis, when the gums swell and become tender. The third stage occurs when the plaque on the gum line hardens and becomes tartar, leading to early periodontitis.
If left untreated, the periodontitis progresses to moderate periodontitis, characterized by receding gums and sore teeth. The final stage of gum disease is advanced periodontitis, where the teeth start loosening and falling off.
You can reverse gum disease at its earlier stages with proper oral care and prompt treatment. However, reversing advanced gum disease is difficult. Consult your dentist to determine the best way to address your gum disease.
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