Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal Gum Disease Treatment in Mississauga

The term periodontal refers to "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection resulting from the buildup of dental plaque on the teeth. This condition impacts the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth.
Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t even know it! This is because most people don’t usually show signs of gum disease in the early stages.
Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss and has been associated with various other health issues, including stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and complications during pregnancy. More research is required to establish a definitive connection between these conditions. Additionally, using tobacco increases the risk of developing periodontal gum disease.
Preventing dental diseases begins at home with proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet. Additionally, it involves regular dental check-ups.

Cleanings & Prevention Procedures Mississauga

Diagnosis

Your dentist or dental hygienist will conduct an oral examination during your routine checkup to determine if you have periodontal disease.
The dentist will use a small dental instrument known as a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the sulcus (the pockets around your teeth). This helps assess the health of the tissues that support your teeth. The probe has depth markings on its head, and a healthy sulcus typically measures around 3 mm and does not bleed. If the pocket depths exceed 3 mm, it indicates periodontal disease, as the sulcus tends to deepen as the disease progresses.
There are several categories of periodontal disease.. Diagnosis involves measuring pocket depths, checking tooth mobility, and assessing the amount of bleeding and level of inflammation.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing flossing, and dental scaling.

Periodontitis

If gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to Periodontitis (inflammation around the tooth). In Periodontitis, the bacterial infection of the gums causes the breakdown of the gum tissue so that it begins to pull away from the teeth and recede along the root surface, exposing the root. When the gums recede, deeper pockets form between them and the teeth and these pockets can collect pus and bacteria that will irritate or inflame the gums. This will cause the gums to bleed easily and there could also be slight to moderate bone loss.

Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced periodontitis is the final stage of gum disease. As the gums, bone and periodontal ligament are continually destroyed by the progression of periodontal disease, teeth will lose support and this can eventually lead to tooth loss. There could also be moderate to severe bone loss in advanced periodontitis.

Warning signs of periodontal disease

Gums that bleed easily, especially during brushing or flossing.
Loose or separating teeth.
Pus between the teeth and gums.
Receding gums or no longer appearing teeth.
Red, swollen or tender gums.
Sensitive teeth.
Bad breath.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, there are a variety of treatment options depending on the details of your situation and the severity of the problem. When the disease has progressed, we may recommend a surgical approach of treatment.
Periodontal disease progresses when the pockets between the teeth and gums accumulate plaque, tartar and bacteria. This will eventually irritate the surrounding tissues and cause damage to the gums (and even the bone that supports your teeth).
Periodontal disease caught in the initial stages of gingivitis usually results to no damage. One to two regular dental cleanings should be able to address the problem. Your dentist will also make recommendations on how to improve your daily oral care practices and have you come back for regular cleanings.
Periodontal disease in the more advanced stages will require scaling and root planning (deep cleaning), a special type of periodontal cleaning that involves one quadrant of the mouth at a time. A local anesthesia may be administered to keep the area numb during the procedure. Tartar, plaque and toxins that have built up above and below your gum line will be removed via scaling while rough sections on root surfaces are smoothened out by root planning. This specialized type of cleaning helps shrink the pockets and heal the gums. Your dentist will prescribe a mouth rinse and some other medications, and will often recommend the use of an electric toothbrush to speed up healing and control possible infection.
In some cases, pockets do not heal after the procedure and periodontal surgery may be required to reduce the depth of these pockets so teeth are easier to clean. Most dentists will recommend that you visit a periodontist for more serious gum issues. A periodontist is a gum and supporting bone specialist.

Maintenance

Did you know it only takes twenty-four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)Brushing and flossing helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.
Your dentist and dental hygienist will advise regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings) every 6 months. They will check that the pocket depths between the teeth and gums are healthy; and will remove any plaque and calculus from above and below your gum line.

A part from periodontal evaluation and cleaning, your regular dental appointments will normally include:

An examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs) to detect any decay, tumors, cysts, and possible signs of bone loss. Tooth and root positions are also assessed with the help of x-rays.
An examination of tooth restorations by checking on current fillings, crowns, etc.
An examination to check signs for tooth decay.
Recommendations for proper oral care and hygiene (which involve the use of oral hygiene aids such as electric or special periodontal toothbrushes, fluorides, medicated mouth rinses).
Teeth polishing to remove plaque and stains not otherwise removed by brushing or scaling.

Always remember that prevention is far more effective than treatment. Early stages of gum disease such as gingivitis are reversible with a thorough dental cleaning and good daily home care.