Periodontal Disease
South Ogden, Utah
Info on Periodontal (Gum) Disease provided by Scott G Ferguson, DDS
and Robert Ferrell DDS, MS
in South Ogden, Utah at Skyline Implants & Periodontics
 Surprisingly, a lot of people have heard of gum disease and even recognize some of the symptoms but very few realize its impact on their medical health.
Those patients, most likely, understand that gum disease can cause bleeding of the gums and the potential for bone mass loss in both jawbones but fail to realize that it can contribute to heart disease.
The earliest stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, which usually presents itself with bleeding gums, irritated gums, and generalized pain in the gum tissues. It is important for patients who have gingivitis to seek treatment because it is the only stage in which periodontal disease can be treated and cured. When it advances to periodontitis, it can only be treated.
Many patients do self-exams when they are flossing or brushing their teeth. This is important for the early detection of potential problems leading to gum disease. Patients who feel they may have some of the issues described should come to see us at Skyline Implants & Periodontics. We can do an assessment and determine the best course of action.
Gum Disease Complications
Gum disease is caused by bacteria in the oral cavity. When kept at healthy levels, bacteria aids in digestion by breaking down food debris. The problem arises when the bacteria reach toxic levels. This irritates the gums and can cause slight bleeding after brushing and flossing.
These bacteria will eventually become tartar, which can, in turn, become plaque. Neither tartar or dental plaque can be effectively removed by simple brushing and flossing. It will have to be taken care of by a dental professional like our periodontists in South Ogden.
Any patient who does not continue to maintain a high level of oral health simply by brushing and flossing will have to deal with the consequences. They should also perform self-examination to make note of any odd places, sores, or tissue growths that need to be addressed by our staff.
Early Detection & Stages
Early detection helps in the treatment outcome of periodontal disease. When the disease is in the first stage known as gingivitis it is the only point in which the disease can be cured.
Once it moves into the advanced stages, the disease cannot be cured, and the patient will need to have periodontal maintenance appointments several times a year to treat the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
This can include root cleaning and root scaling both of which remove the bacteria found beneath the gum line. These procedures make it difficult for the bacteria to remain on the teeth, keeping them cleaner and healthier.
Periodontal disease is a progressive disease which can easily devastate a patient's oral cavity health. Once it takes hold of the mouth, this disease can cause terrible damage to other vital systems of the body including the respiratory system and the circulatory system. If those systems are compromised, there could be deadly consequences.
Gum Disease Requires More Than a Regular Cleaning
Periodontal or gum disease affects many people, unfortunately, many do not know they have it. This is one of the tricky things about gum disease. In fact, this disease can remain painless for a long time and often sneaks up on unsuspecting people, causing huge irreparable damage before they even know.
Visible symptoms of gum disease include swollen, red, bleeding gums, recessed gums, bad breath, and tooth loss. Yet still, many people never show symptoms at all and are pretty surprised when our dental specialists at Skyline Implants & Periodontics announce to them that they require scaling and root planing in place of a regular dental cleaning.
Periodontal Maintenance Procedure
Periodontal disease, in most cases, contributes to gum pockets with a depth of more than 4 millimeters, bone loss, bleeding gums, or exposed roots. Periodontal maintenance therapy is different from conventional routine cleaning in that, it is aimed at keeping the gums healthy after undergoing treatment. It addresses a particular existing problem while routine cleaning is a preventive approach.
Periodontal maintenance therapy involves scaling and root planing. A dentist removes dental plaque and tartar forming above and underneath the gumline. The cleaning is done all the way down to include the length of every tooth and the areas around the junction of gum, bone, and root.
Our periodontists also smooth out the uneven and rough area of teeth roots in order to reduce the likelihood of bacterial plaque and tartar from forming. They also monitor the depths of the pockets. If the pockets are reinfected or inflamed, they are irrigated with antimicrobial solutions to control the infection or gum inflammation.
Periodontal maintenance therapy is rather an intensive procedure though essential in restoring and maintaining healthy gums and bones. After treatment for periodontal disease, it is likely for the infection to recur. The bacteria in the mouth can continue multiplying, often leading to more infection. If bacteria in the mouth are left to thrive, they contribute to more damage to the gums and other oral issues.
How Often are Periodontal Maintenance Visits?
If our periodontists are treating gum disease with periodontal maintenance therapy, it is important that the visits occur more often than a routine cleaning. We schedule our patients for therapy every three to four months. Therefore, you will need to get the therapy three to four times every year based on the rate of accumulation of plaque and tartar and whether there is bleeding or gum inflammation, or the stability of your periodontal disease.
Also, your ability to keep up with at-home oral hygiene can determine how often you come for the therapy.
Benefits of Periodontal Maintenance Therapy
Coming for periodontal maintenance at our office offers many benefits besides slowing and stopping or controlling gum infection. The therapy helps remove tartar, which is quite stubborn, and not possible to scrape off with traditional toothbrushes and flossers.
Periodontal maintenance also offers aesthetic benefits because it helps clean yellow and stained teeth to keep them looking brighter. The therapy also ensures fresh breath because it removes hidden bacteria that cause bad breath. Since there is a correlation between gum health and chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease, periodontal maintenance helps ensure good overall health.
Schedule with Your South Ogden Periodontist Today!
Visit us at Skyline Implants & Periodontics to learn more about periodontal maintenance therapy and when you need it. Call us at (385) 888-7414 to set up an appointment.
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