Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal Therapy - The Why

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, affects about 30% of adults. It’s also the number one cause of tooth loss. Many denture cases begin because of this. While there is no cure for gum disease, it is treatable. At Applewood Dental, we work hard to help our patients experiencing gum disease to maintain a healthy smile.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Our mouths host millions of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. Bacterial waste forms sticky plaque, which adheres to the teeth. Brushing and flossing aim at removing plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. Tartar becomes a colony for more bacteria releasing toxins into the gums. Around the base of each tooth, there is a small collar of gum tissue that forms a small crevice. This warm, dark environment provides a perfect habitat for deeper tartar and bacteria to infiltrate.

Diagnosis

There are many factors we take into account before we make a gum disease diagnosis. The small gum pocket around each tooth usually sits 2-3 millimeters deep that can easily be cleaned by floss or toothpicks. Our doctors and our hygiene team can measure multiple areas using a small measuring device called a periodontal probe. Measurements over 3 millimeters that bleed upon probing indicate that periodontal disease. We can also evaluate the texture and shape of your gums, and any movement detectable in each tooth.

Treatment

After establishing a diagnosis defining the severity of gum disease, we can develop a personalized treatment plan. In milder cases, one or two visits with our hygiene team may resolve the problem. If the inflammation has advanced and bone loss is evident, a proactive approach to stop further deterioration should be strongly considered. Once it is determined that we may be facing a more severe case of gum disease, we will do the following:

Over a few visits, a portion of your mouth will be deep cleaned. The infected pocket around each tooth and the mineralized tartar must be carefully removed using a process referred to as scaling and planing.

Polishing the teeth to establish glassy surfaces that help repel stain and plaque accumulation typically finishes this initial therapy.

Maintenance Matters

Regular home care is critical in stopping the progression of gum disease. Within a few hours of cleaning, the bacteria begin to repopulate and adhere to the teeth. Plaque left undisturbed will start to harden and mineralize within 24 hours. This means that just because you are receiving periodontal therapy does not mean you can stop your dental regime at home! When you visit us for periodontal therapy, you can expect the following:

We customize your plan to include two, three, or four visits a year.

Our recommendation depends on the severity of the disease, how it responds to treatment, and the consistency of your home care.

If our combined efforts don’t slow or stop the progression of your gum disease, we will refer you to a periodontist. Additional treatment may be also be recommended.

Why Is Treatment Important?

Research continues to establish clear links between bacterial disease in your mouth and ailments in other parts of the body. Studies show a link between oral bacteria and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, or even certain types of cancers. This means that the relationship between a person’s oral health and their whole body health is extremely important to understand, and that dental care is very important to a person’s overall health.

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Periodontal Therapy