Losing Your Teeth to Periodontal Disease Is Uncalled for
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease you can be confident that good news is following soon behind because the condition can be treated successfully.
The dentist offering treatment for gum disease which is also known as periodontal treatment usually subjects you to a deep cleaning which is called scaling and root planing to eliminate plaque and tartar deposits on the surfaces of the tooth and root. This procedure ensures that the gum disease heals and the periodontal pockets shrink. This is also referred to as periodontal cleaning.
You may be recommended medications by your dentist to control the pain and infection or to help in the healing. These medications may include pills, a mouth rinse, or a material that the dentist places in the periodontal pocket after the cleaning and planing.
What Made You a Candidate for Periodontal Treatment?
The fact that you have gum disease confirms that you haven’t been taking proper care of your teeth and gums. You have allowed plaque and tartar to accumulate on the tooth and root surfaces by neglecting to brush and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist for half-yearly exams and cleanings. The deposits of plaque and tartar would have brought upon you the problem of periodontal disease which would have advanced from gingivitis which is the initial phase of this condition.
After being afflicted by this condition the only option available to you would be to seek gum disease treatment or to be prepared to lose your teeth to this affliction. It is one of the reasons why dentists recommend meeting them every six months for exams and cleanings because they can identify the onset of gum disease even in its early stages. The fact that you haven’t visited the dentist is probably the reason why gingivitis has advanced to the condition of periodontitis and caused you to require periodontal treatment.
What Happens After the Initial Treatment Is Provided?
During your next visit to the dentist, he or she will examine the depth of the pockets to determine the effect of the scaling and root planing. Most patients do not require active treatments thereafter but only require preventive care. However, if the periodontal pockets are deep and have caused loss of supporting bone you may need surgery to prevent further tooth loss. You will be referred to a periodontist who is also a dentist that specializes in the treatment of gum diseases that affect the supporting structures of the teeth such as the gums and the bone tissue for treatment.
What Happens When Periodontal Pockets Do Not Heal?
Surgery will become inevitable after scaling and root planing have failed and the periodontal pockets do not heal. During the surgery, the inflamed tissues will be removed to reduce damage to the bone that is surrounding the teeth. The enlarged pockets would have provided better space for the bacteria to thrive and attack the bone and tissue.
The surgery permits the dentist to reach difficult areas under the gums and by the roots where the accumulation of plaque and tartar is high. To repair the damage caused by the progressing disease it will be necessary for the dentist to eliminate the bacterial stronghold for regenerating bone and tissue by reducing the depth of the pockets.
The dentist treating your condition may recommend additional procedures such as bone surgery and bone grafts to rebuild or reshape the bone destroyed by periodontal disease. Bone grafts, fillers or proteins to stimulate the tissue may be used for encouraging the natural ability of your body to regenerate bone and tissue.
Preventive Care against Periodontal Disease Is the Best Medicine
After your periodontal treatment is over your dentist will want you to visit him or her at regular intervals. Your appointments may be alternated between your dentist as well as your periodontist.
Cleaning your teeth daily will help to keep the formation of plaque under control while also reducing the formation of tartar. However, the problem will not be eliminated. You will require frequent exams and cleanings to make sure you are free from gum disease.
If you are using tobacco in any form asking your dentist or physician about how you can successfully stop the habit will be beneficial. Certain chemicals present in tobacco can slow down the healing process. Losing your teeth to periodontal disease is certainly uncalled for because you can brush and clean between your teeth, have a balanced diet, avoid tobacco and its products and schedule regular dental visits to enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles.