Periodontal Maintenance: Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums that gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. There are numerous disease entities classified under this major title - periodontal disease; and their management requiring different treatment approaches. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent or limit most periodontal conditions.
Why oral hygiene is so important?
Adults over 35 years of age lose more teeth to gum diseases than from cavities. Seventy-five percent of adults are affected at some time in their life. Scientific evidence suggests that the best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is a daily routine of good tooth brushing and flossing techniques.
Plaque is a colorless film that sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are caused by bacterial plaque.
Certain factors that the patient can control influence the course and outcome of gum diseases by magnifying the disease-causing ability of destructive bacteria that lives within dental plaque. These important factors affecting the health of your gums include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Medication
- Poor nutrition
- Periodontal Disease
Bacteria found in plaque produce poisons and other substances that irritate the gums causing them to turn red, swell, and bleed easily due to the infection. If the irritation remains prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (infected spaces) to form. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue, and bone that hold teeth deteriorate. This leads to tooth loss, if left for long enough as the condition worsens.
Preventing Gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily tooth brushing and flossing, in addition to regular professional dental examinations, and tooth cleaning. Yet, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still develop periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to stop its progress.
Professional Cleaning
Daily brushing and flossing will minimize the accumulation of dental deposits. Professional cleaning removes the unavoidable deposit. No one is good enough to remove everything without professional support. Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease, and keep your teeth for a healthy lifestyle.
Oral Prophylaxis (Professional Tooth Cleaning)
Prophylaxis is a medical term for prevention. Oral prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for stopping the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Dental prophylaxis is a cleaning treatment performed to clean the teeth, and gums by a dental professional. The benefits include:
Plaque removal: Plaque buildup and subsequent tartar or calculus around the gum line results in serious periodontal problems. Unfortunately, even with a proper home brushing and flossing routine, it can be impossible to remove all debris, bacteria, and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dentist or dental therapist or dental hygienist using specialized dental equipment is necessary to catch potentially damaging buildup.
A healthier looking smile: Stained and yellowed teeth can dramatically decrease the esthetics of a smile. Prophylaxis is an effective treatment in ridding the teeth of these unsightly stains.
Fresher breath: Bad breath or halitosis is generally indicative of advancing periodontal disease. A combination of rotting food particles, possibly below the gum line, and gangrene stemming from gum infection, result in bad breath. The routine removal of plaque, calculus, and bacteria in our clinic noticeably improves halitosis, and reduces infection.
