The makers of a highly effective, non
invasive product called ARESTIN® offer extremely helpful information on their
website about gum disease and treatment. Rather than rewrite the same
commentary, Atlanta Dental Spa is going to share their information with you, as
we use this product often in our practice and stand behind the research
shared below. Read on...
Know your Problem:
The most important
thing about treating any health problem is to know the issue exists by
recognizing symptoms and seeking treatment. Of course, regular visits to your
dentist will help any patient determine if they have gum disease. Therefore, we
advocate getting in to see your dentist regularly and listening to their
suggestions about preventative treatment plans.
What is Periodontal Disease or Gum
Disease?
Your gums are an important foundation for your teeth and
provide stability for all of your dental work, so it’s important to keep them
healthy. Periodontal disease is the most common chronic bacterial infection in
adults, and if not treated properly, it can spread rapidly throughout your
entire mouth.
This sometimes silent infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow beneath the gums and create "pockets"-spaces or gaps in the gums around the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal bacteria can lead to bone and tooth loss that can threaten your foundation and overall health.
The facts about periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is a persistent bacterial infection that:
•
Attacks the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place
• Can return and
spread if left untreated
• May lead to surgery or tooth loss
• Affects 3
out of 4 American adults
Healthy Gums Can also Save Your Life
We now know there is a causal link between gum disease and other
cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, as you will read on Atlanta Dental Spa’s
“Body-Mouth Connection” website page. This essential link is not just a reminder
to take care of your teeth and gums it’s a call to action that just may save
your life. Atlanta Dental Spa is not overstating or over-dramatizing in this
message. What we’ve shared is medical fact: Gum disease can lead to heart
disease. Treating infected gums can decrease your risk for cardiovascular and
other autoimmune diseases. For more information, feel free to read our news
release on our “Body-Mouth Connection” page.
So, it is good you know the
importance of a healthy mouth, but it can also be helpful to be watching for
symptoms and make an appointment with your dentist if you notice these things
happening to you.
Knowing your Mouth. What are the Symptoms?
Because periodontal disease attacks beneath the gum line, you could have an infection and not know it. And while there are usually a few signs and symptoms of the disease-red, swollen, or bleeding gums; bad breath; loose teeth; gums that bleed upon brushing or flossing - some people experience no symptoms at all.
Determining if you have periodontal disease:
Any treating team member of Atlanta Dental Spa can
determine whether you have periodontal disease by measuring the size of your
pockets, or the spaces or gaps in the gums around the teeth. This is done with a
special instrument that is much like a tiny ruler. Pockets that measure 4 or
more millimeters (mm) in depth, and/or gums that bleed during probing, may mean
that infection is present.
How do I treat the problem?
“Start by having your dentist at Atlanta Dental Spa remove the bacterial "intruders"
Atlanta Dental Spa’s Drs. Estep and Boulden commonly treat periodontal disease with a mechanical procedure known as scaling and root planing (SRP). Scaling removes plaque, tartar, and stains from the surface of teeth. Planing smoothes the rough areas on the roots of teeth to promote healing.
Bacteria that hide at the bottom of pockets can be difficult to remove
While SRP has been shown to effectively remove many of the bacteria that cause infection, the instruments used during SRP sometimes can't reach the stubborn bacteria below the gum line and in the bottom of pockets that can cause the infection to return and spread without proper follow-up care.
Fight the infection with a locally administered antibiotic (LAA)
Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection and, as with any infection, treatment with an antibiotic is common. Atlanta Dental Spa's hygienist often add an LAA directly to the site of infection where bacteria hide. Many dental professionals choose to add an LAA because:
• LAAs can help reduce the bacteria
that SRP can leave behind
• Antibiotics treat infections in the body and
periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection
• Clinical studies prove
that SRP is more effective at reducing the harmful effects of periodontal
disease when LAAs are added
• These effective treatments can reduce harmful
bacteria before infection spreads and gum disease worsens
Okay, I understand what to look for but how do we (My Doctors at Atlanta Dental Spa and I) help keep the gum disease away? What is my preventive maintenance plan?
Maintain good oral home care
Following some basic oral hygiene guidelines at home can help prevent periodontal disease. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and clean between the teeth with floss or interdental cleaners once a day to help remove plaque and food debris that toothbrushes may not reach. Your Atlanta Dental Spa Team may also recommend the daily use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
Always follow up
Once you receive initial treatment for periodontal disease and the infection has been treated by Dr. Boulden or Dr. Estep, continuous professional care known as periodontal maintenance should be performed. Because the bacteria that cause periodontal disease are persistent, the infection can return.
Keep your scheduled appointments
If you have received treatment for periodontal disease, please be sure to make, and keep your follow-up dental appointments with Atlanta Dental Spa for periodontal maintenance so you maintain healthy gums and teeth. It is important for our team of dental professionals to reexamine your gums, make sure the infection is under control, and measure the success of your treatment.
When surgery becomes necessary
If periodontal disease is more serious and Drs. Estep or
Boulden determines that the LAA
plus scaling and root planing (SRP) will not
eliminate the infection and reduce pocket depth, surgery may be necessary.
Periodontal surgery may have to be performed, especially when teeth are loose or
have fallen out.
Bibliography:
"Understanding Gum Disease." Ed.
Arestin. Web.
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