Periodontal Therapy in Park City, KS
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects approximately 30% of adults and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Many cases of dentures are a result of this chronic condition. While it cannot be cured, it can be controlled with regular professional cleanings and consistent at-home care.
Gum disease can progress without obvious symptoms. Patients may not feel any pain and may be surprised by the damage it causes. Think of your gums and bone around your teeth as the foundation of a house - if the foundation weakens, the rest of the structure will suffer.
Regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices are crucial for detecting and managing periodontitis effectively.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria, some helpful and some harmful. When bacterial waste forms plaque on our teeth, it can lead to tartar if not removed by brushing and flossing. Tartar then becomes a breeding ground for more bacteria, which release toxins into the gums.
Our immune system responds to this bacterial invasion by causing inflammation in the gums. The small pockets of gum tissue around each tooth provide an ideal environment for tartar and bacteria to thrive.
If left untreated, this inflammation can lead to bleeding gums, or gingivitis. Chronic infection in the periodontal pocket can cause deterioration of the bone around the teeth. This bone loss is often painless in the early stages.
By the time more than half of the bone around the teeth has disappeared, signs of looseness or pain may finally appear. Unfortunately, this bone loss is permanent and difficult to control as the bacteria hide deeper in the gums. Severe cases of untreated gum disease can result in abscesses and tooth loss.
It is important to take care of your oral health to prevent these issues from developing.
Diagnosis
Before diagnosing gum disease, we consider several factors. The depth of the gum pocket around each tooth is typically 2-3 millimeters, which can be easily cleaned with floss or toothpicks. Our team can measure and chart these areas using a periodontal probe. If the measurements are over 3 millimeters and bleed when probed, it indicates the presence of periodontal disease.
In addition, we assess the texture, shape, and movement of your gums and examine the bone levels, shape, and density around your teeth using digital x-rays. This data helps us form a clear understanding of your gum health.
Treatment
Once we have determined the severity of your gum disease, we will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. For mild cases with minimal bone loss, a couple of visits with our hygiene team may be sufficient to bring the condition under control. With a recommended daily home care routine and regular professional maintenance, additional treatment may not be necessary.
If the inflammation has progressed and there is noticeable bone loss, it is important to take a proactive approach to prevent further deterioration. Treatment may involve numbing of the gums, root planing, and scaling over multiple visits to thoroughly clean each tooth and remove tartar buildup. Polishing the teeth can help prevent future plaque and stain accumulation.
Dr. Davidson may recommend a medicated rinse, electric or ultrasonic toothbrush, and other strategies to enhance your home care routine. It's important to remember that while gum disease can be controlled, it cannot be cured. Consistent home care is essential to managing the disease effectively.
Maintenance Matters
It is crucial to maintain regular home care to prevent gum disease from progressing. Bacteria can quickly repopulate and adhere to teeth within hours of cleaning, leading to plaque hardening and mineralizing within 24 hours if left undisturbed. Deeper gum pockets require extra diligence to prevent bacteria from causing damage to the teeth's foundation.
If you have difficulty cleaning gum pockets damaged by bacteria at home, it is important to maintain a consistent schedule with us for professional maintenance. We can customize a plan for you with two, three, or four visits a year based on the severity of the disease and its response to treatment.
If our efforts are not effective in slowing or stopping the progression of your gum disease, we may recommend a referral to a periodontist specialist.
Mouth-Body Connection
Recent studies have found a connection between oral bacteria and serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and certain types of cancer. The correlation between oral health and overall well-being is now better understood than ever before.
When gums bleed, it creates a direct pathway for oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Just like an open wound on the skin can lead to infection, bleeding gums should be treated with the same level of concern. This helps to explain why researchers are discovering oral bacteria deposits in various parts of the body.
Individuals with diabetes and other autoimmune disorders have a weakened ability to fight off infections, allowing gum disease to progress more rapidly and cause more damage. Additionally, inflammation in the mouth can worsen diabetes, making it harder to manage. This mutual relationship between these chronic conditions underscores the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.