Treatments for Healthier Gums and Therefore a Healthier You!
Significant efforts are being made to ensure all patients, including those who have regularly seen a dentist, are aware of the condition of their teeth and gums, and that they realize the connection between their mouth and their body.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease affects more than just your mouth. It puts you at risks for other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, adverse pregnancy outcomes, etc. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease achieve and maintain an unhealthy micro biome. Patients that have never had gum disease, patients that have gum disease presently, and patients that have had gum disease in the past can all benefit from educating themselves as to what gum disease is and how to treat it.
What measures can I take to make my mouth healthy?
- All mouths need good home care (brushing, flossing, rinsing) and regular checkups.
- The most determining factor in achieving good oral health is YOU.
How do I know if I have Periodontal Disease?
Multiple signs and symptoms can alert you that you have some form of periodontal disease.
A professional exam using a periodontal probe checks for pockets in the gums and measures the amount of tissue damage if present. These measurements are used to classify the severity of disease and to measure stability over time.
Salivary testing to identify the presence (or not) of the bacteria that cause Periodontal disease is an important piece of overall oral health. Let’s get rid of the bacteria before they cause destruction.
What is the overall goal of treatment for periodontal disease?
- No matter the severity of disease, the treatment principals are the same: rid the infected and inflamed areas of your mouth of harmful bacterial biofilms and the deposits that are associated.
- The overall goal: Maintain a healthy mouth that is free of pockets for bacteria to reside in, that is absent of bacterial biofilms, and tissues that are not inflamed.
Are there any differences in this treatment for someone with early disease vs. someone with advanced disease?
- There are differences- the scope and depth of the cleaning is different and the time needed to do treatment is different. A person with moderate gingivitis may be able to reverse their condition with less overall treatments than a person with advanced periodontitis.
- The goals of therapy are the same no matter the severity of the condition. The amount of therapy needed to achieve those goals is what differs.
I’d rather have the cleaning my insurance pays for fully rather than a cleaning I have to pay some out of pocket for. Why can’t I just have checkups/twice a year cleanings for my condition?
Much like just doing checkups for cavities won’t actually fix a cavity, just doing checkup cleanings won’t actually fix or treat advanced gum disease.
A comparison:
- Brushing, flossing, fluoride, and sealants are done to prevent cavities from starting. But, if a cavity has started and is already there to be diagnosed at a checkup, brushing won’t make it disappear, nor will a sealant fix it. A filling is the typical initial treatment for a cavity.
- The number of teeth that have cavities and the size of those cavities determines the amount of treatment you need, the number of appointments you need, and the overall costs.
**Insurance benefits are specific to your plan and not necessarily targeted at all therapies.
Will a therapeutic cleaning/scaling therapy fix all my gum problems?
- No. The most important factor in maintaining a healthy mouth is you.
- Periodontal therapies will remove the irritants that contribute to gum disease. This can allow your gums to heal and become healthier, but your gum problems may not get better if home care and regular dental care are not maintained after treatment. It does not take long for the bacterial plaques to rebuild, especially if habits go unchanged. If bacteria repopulate your gum tissues, then they will not stay healthy.
- There are multiple factors that are involved in the healing response after initial periodontal therapy. Good home care and regular dental visits are essential. Other factors that can contribute are tobacco use, systemic disease (such as diabetes), immune response, genetics, etc.
- The important thing to remember is that your mouth cannot become healthier without first removing the bacterial source of the problem.
- Adjunctive therapy may be needed if initial therapy is not completely successful. These include antibiotic therapies, surgical therapies, and possible referral to a periodontal specialist if your gum disease does not respond to initial treatment.
Why can’t I just do regular cleanings (prophy) to treat gum problems?
- Regular cleanings are intended to keep a person without active periodontal disease from getting periodontal disease. The scope of these cleanings will not get into the pockets of someone that does have gum disease. If a person with gum disease chooses to maintain regular cleanings without doing necessary deep scaling, their disease can continue to worsen over time.
Why might I need Periodontal Maintenance instead of a prophy?
- Periodontal Maintenance is a regular cleaning designed for patients that have had periodontal treatments.
- Relapse can happen-additional therapy over your lifetime is a possibility. Maintaining regular cleaning visits and practicing good habits are the best way to prevent recurrence.