You may start by seeing your general dentist. Depending on how severe your periodontitis is, your dentist may refer you to a specialist in the treatment of periodontal disease called a periodontist. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up. A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums.
While a general dentist can treat gum disease with cleanings, and scaling and root planing, a periodontist can treat advanced periodontal disease cases that a general dentist cannot.
Scaling and root planing helps the pockets to shrink and gum tissue to heal. Medications may also be recommended to help control pain, infection, or to assist in healing. At the next appointment, the dentist will measure the depth of the pockets to determine the effect of the procedure.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
The Journal of Dental Health recommends periodontitis patients revisit their periodontist for periodontal maintenance every three months.
With gum disease, you won't keep your teeth for long. In fact, unlike tooth decay which impacts your smile one tooth at a time, periodontitis can cause you to lose multiple, if not all, teeth at once. Gum disease starts small as a mild form called gingivitis.
Periodontal treatment is very important. It does prevent tooth loss, which can be caused by periodontitis.
Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, preserve gum tissue and prevent tooth loss.
Some signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are visible to the naked eye. Thus, the dentist may inspect your mouth and teeth for these signs. The dentist may suspect gum disease if they notice: Considerable plaque or tartar buildup.
Gingivitis is sometimes mistaken for periodontitis and vice versa. They are both stages of periodontal disease. But they are distinct things, so it's important to be able to tell which might be affecting you.
The periodontist is mainly concerned with: preventing the onset of gum disease (periodontal disease); diagnosing conditions affecting the gums and jawbone; and treating gingivitis, periodontitis, and bone loss.
A recent study reported that rinsing the mouth with salt water can help with your oral health. Salt is a natural disinfectant that helps with gum disease in a few ways: It removes loose debris and cleans the teeth and gums. Reduces inflammation and swelling and soothes the gums.
Research proves a saltwater rinse containing 0.9 percent to 1.8 percent sodium chloride helps heal the gums. In addition, disinfectant properties are present in salt, helping kill harmful bacteria in the mouth while easing swelling and pain in the infected gums.
Mouthwash can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, but it cannot cure periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious condition that requires professional treatment.
While periodontitis is more common in older adults, even younger people can have it. You don't have to panic if your gums bleed, but it's something to feel concerned about. In case you do notice signs of periodontal disease, it's best to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible.
It's important to see a dentist right away if you ever suspect something is wrong with your gums. Both gingivitis and periodontitis can happen faster than you think. If you ever feel like your gums are tender, look red or swollen, or you're noticing pink on your floss or toothbrush, give us a call as soon as you can.
Since periodontitis can do long-term damage to your gums, teeth, and jaw, the healing process for severe cases may take several months and may involve additional treatments like gum grafts. In the end, though, it's worth it to have healthier teeth and gums!
They may experience receding gums, loosening teeth, or tooth loss when it progresses into severe periodontal disease. If you wonder if you can live with this disease, the answer is yes. In general, periodontal disease does not cause pain, which is one of the reasons it develops into a severe condition.
It's never too late for gum grafting as long as the patient has sufficient gum tissue to harvest for the graft. However, the success rate of the procedure may be lower in cases where the patient has advanced gum disease or other underlying health issues that can affect the healing process.
Periodontitis affects more than 47% of adults over age 30 in the U.S. That number jumps to around 70% for adults 65 years and over.
Follow-up patients who have received active periodontal therapy are appropriately reported using the periodontal maintenance code.” The actual ADA code book reads, periodontal maintenance will be completed following active periodontal therapy “for the life of the dentition.” It is safe to assume once a periodontal ...
And though periodontitis is common, it is preventable with the right oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. However, if you do develop periodontitis, it is treatable, and periodontal treatments can leave you with healthy gums, which means healthy teeth.
By massaging the gums regularly, you're helping to keep bacteria at bay and your mouth clean and healthy. Prevent potential tooth extraction: Regular gingival massage is known to be an effective way to treat periodontal disease, reducing the chances of tooth extraction due to decay or gum damage.