Periodontal Therapy in Valley Center, KS
Gum disease, medically termed periodontal disease, impacts around 30% of adults and stands as the primary cause of tooth loss in the adult population. Although this chronic condition cannot be completely cured, its progression can be managed through regular professional hygiene appointments and diligent home care.
The advancement of gum disease may occur without apparent signs or symptoms, and many patients may be oblivious to the potential harm it can inflict, often lacking noticeable pain. Consider your gums and the surrounding tooth-supporting bone as the foundation of a house. Similar to a house, a robust foundation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the entire structure. As the foundation weakens, the rest of the house is prone to deterioration.
Regular dental examinations, professional cleanings, and the adoption of proper home care practices are essential for effectively managing periodontitis.
Gum Disease: What are the Causes?
Millions of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful, inhabit our mouths, influencing our oral health in various ways. One outcome of bacterial activity is the creation of plaque, a sticky substance that adheres to the teeth. Consistent brushing and flossing are crucial for eliminating plaque before it solidifies into tartar. If tartar accumulates, it serves as a breeding ground for additional bacteria, releasing toxins that can negatively impact the gums.
Upon bacterial invasion of the gums, our immune system triggers inflammation. Each tooth is encircled by a small pocket of gum tissue, creating an optimal environment for tartar and bacteria to flourish. This warm and dim pocket facilitates their infiltration, leading to additional damage.
Without proper intervention, the initial inflammation can advance to gingivitis, marked by bleeding gums. If left undisturbed, the bacteria can result in a persistent infection within the periodontal pocket. Gradually, the bone surrounding the teeth may undergo deterioration. At this point, there might be slight tenderness in the gums, but overall, there is typically minimal discomfort as the bone starts to erode.
It's crucial to recognize that over 50% of the bone around the teeth can be lost before any indications of looseness or pain become apparent. Regrettably, the bone doesn't regenerate, making this loss permanent and progressively harder to manage as bacteria conceal deeper within the gums. In severe instances, untreated gum disease may lead to abscesses and eventual tooth loss.
Diagnosis
Before arriving at a gum disease diagnosis, we take various factors into account. The normal depth of the gum pocket around each tooth is typically 2-3 millimeters, easily manageable with floss or toothpicks. Our hygiene team or Dr. Davidson can employ a periodontal probe to measure and chart these areas. If the measurements exceed 3 millimeters and exhibit bleeding during probing, it signifies the presence of periodontal disease.
Furthermore, Dr. Davidson will evaluate the texture and shape of your gums, checking for any signs of tooth movement. It is also crucial to examine the bone levels, shape, and density around your teeth using digital x-rays. By compiling this information, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of your gum condition.
Treatment
Upon assessing the severity of your gum disease, we will devise a personalized treatment plan. For milder cases with minimal bone loss, our hygiene team can typically bring the condition under control in one or two visits. We will furnish you with a strategy for daily home care and establish a professional maintenance schedule to minimize the need for additional treatment.
If the inflammation has progressed, and there is evident bone loss, taking a proactive approach becomes crucial to prevent further deterioration. We may recommend numbing your gums and performing root planing or scaling. This thorough cleaning process will be conducted gradually over multiple visits, focusing on one area of your mouth at a time. Our skilled team will use both hand and ultrasonic instruments to meticulously eliminate the infected pockets around each tooth, as well as any mineralized tartar. The treatment will conclude with the polishing of teeth to create smooth surfaces resistant to stain and plaque buildup.
Dr. Davidson may also propose additional measures to enhance your home care routine, such as a medicated rinse, an electric or ultrasonic toothbrush, and other specific strategies. It is important to bear in mind that while gum disease can be controlled, it cannot be cured. Consistent and diligent home care is essential to keep the disease under control.
Maintenance Matters
Consistent home care plays a pivotal role in impeding the progression of gum disease. Bacteria begin to repopulate and adhere to the teeth within a few hours of cleaning. Should plaque be left undisturbed, it will harden and mineralize within 24 hours. It's crucial to recognize that deeper gum pockets demand even greater diligence to prevent bacteria from compromising the foundation of your teeth.
Given that home cleaning of gum pockets previously affected by bacteria can pose challenges, it becomes vital to adhere to a regular schedule with us. We can customize your plan to include two, three, or four visits a year, depending on the severity of the disease, its response to treatment, and the consistency of your home care.
If our collaborative efforts prove ineffective in slowing or halting the progression of your gum disease, we may recommend a referral to a specialist, commonly known as a periodontist.
Mouth-Body Connection
Research has revealed a robust association between oral bacteria and a spectrum of health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and certain types of cancer. The comprehension of the correlation between oral health and overall well-being has never been more comprehensive.
When gums bleed, it establishes a direct pathway for oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Similar to an open wound on the skin that can lead to infection, bleeding gum tissue should be treated with equal concern. This helps elucidate why researchers consistently detect deposits of oral bacteria in various parts of the body.
Individuals with diabetes and other autoimmune disorders exhibit a weakened ability to combat infections, allowing gum disease to progress more rapidly and cause greater damage. Research has also affirmed that inflammation in the mouth can exacerbate diabetes, rendering it more challenging to manage. This bidirectional relationship between these chronic conditions underscores the significance of maintaining proper oral hygiene.