Periodontal Disease
Periodontal Disease Treatment- Dover, Delaware-19901
Our gums serve like a beautiful pink covering to our teeth and underlying jawbones. Along with the alveolar bone (the part of the jawbone that supports the teeth), our gums anchor the teeth and the health of the gums is directly proportional to the health of the teeth. At Dover Delaware, we help you safeguard this ‘pink protective’ layer so that it serves you for a lifetime.
What is gum disease?
Due to various factors like local irritants or other systemic disease like diabetes our gums become infected resulting in swelling, redness and bleeding (on slight provocation) of gums. All these symptoms indicate gum disease and require immediate attention to prevent it from progressing to later stages. As the disease process advances, the fibers that hold the teeth in position start undergoing destruction. Still if treatment is not commenced, the underlying alveolar bone begins disintegrating. Now there is practically nothing to hold the teeth in position. Finally, the teeth become loose and fall when they cannot withstand the chewing forces. Gum disease may not be painful at all or may induce mild pain. This is one of the reasons why it is ignored and by the time treatment is commenced, it is often too late.
Who are at risk of contracting gum disease?
Gum disease can occur to anyone if there is lack of oral hygiene but there are few people who are at an increased risk of developing gum diseases. Take a look at few of those-
1. Tobacco consumers- Those who smoke or chew tobacco are at an increased risk of developing gums disease. For smokers, the high temperature generated while smoking tobacco in itself is one of the biggest soft tissue irritant. Due to that the gums are more prone to develop gum disease. Those who chew tobacco are rubbing the tissue irritants like tobacco against gums and teeth. Initially, our body immune system fights against such irritants to protect itself but later the body gives up and starts developing signs of gum disease.
2. Diabetes- Research and various studies have shown that people who have diabetes are at an increased risk of developing gum disease because of weakening of the gum tissue due to the disease process.
3. Crowding of teeth- Some people do not have a straight alignment of teeth. They have crowded teeth or crooked teeth. The space between the crowded teeth is difficult to clean. Similarly the gum tissue surrounding the crooked teeth is difficult to be maintained clean.
4. Under medication- One can be consuming medicines like oral contraceptives or steroids. One of the side effects of these drugs is the swelling or inflammation of the gums. The drugs that are given to patients suffering from seizures also show side effects on gums. Certain group of hypertension drugs called calcium channel blockers may cause the swelling the gums.
5. Pregnancy- Pregnancy, one of the most cherished periods of a woman, comes along with a heavy turmoil of hormones. One of the manifestations of this turmoil is gum disease. Under the action of the hormones, the gums become swollen and bleed easily even while brushing of teeth.
6. Lowered or defective immunity- Patients suffering from conditions like HIV/AIDS are more prone to develop gum disease due to their weak immunity system that cannot fight against the foreign irritants.
7. Genetics- Genetics has a very important role to play when it comes to the development of a person’s body or personality. Our genes that we get from our parents contain the details of the type of body we will have as we grow in age and size. It is never a bad idea to enquire if your parents have gum disease or not. If the answer is a ‘yes’, you can always take an extra step of precaution to prevent your gums from getting damaged by gum disease.
How can gum disease be treated?
A simple way of preventing gum disease is by maintaining good oral hygiene. Take a look around your bathroom and you will find all the necessary stuff that will help you ward off this dangerous disease. A toothpaste and toothbrush is all you require to keep your teeth clean. Brush at least twice a day in an up-and-down motion. Flossing is another essential step that you should not miss and should perform on a daily basis. At least once in six months, you should undergo professional cleaning. During your routine oral check-ups your dentist will let you know if you have any gum problems or not.
Scaling and Root planning
Scaling and root planning are the steps involved in professional dental cleaning. This is the primary treatment for gum disease. After this treatment the gums revert back to normal health. The steps involved in scaling and root planning are as follows-
a. The procedure of scaling is carried out in a systematic way, from one end to the other end of a jaw. The mouth is virtually divided into four parts. Only after completion in one part, your dental hygienist will proceed into the next.
b. Before the commencement of the procedure, the areas to be done are numbed so that you experience absolutely NO discomfort during the procedure.
c. Scaling is the procedure in which the tartar and plaque is removed from the surfaces of the teeth.
d. Root planing, also called as deep cleaning, is the procedure in which the roots of the teeth are also cleaned so that the inflamed gums that are placed over the roots, heal rapidly.
e. Finally the cleaned surfaces are polished so that they become smooth and your tongue is not bothered by any rough edges or points on teeth surfaces.
Visit us at Dover Delaware at 19901 for professional cleaning of your teeth and routine dental check-up. Remember, your healthy gums are just a call away!