Periodontal (gum) disease is a slowly progressing infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal (gum) disease is usually painless and most people do not know ore realize that they have it.
Periodontal disease is linked to other health problems. Researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.
Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. Think of plaque being similar to the grimy cover on your windshield on a cold, drizzly winter day. The bacteria in the plaque create toxins which can damage the gums and the teeth. Some of these bacteria also cause cavities that destroy your teeth. The plaque slowly turns into calculus (tartar) and it becomes impossible to remove with your brush or floss. Your toothbrush cannot remove the plaque once it hardens into calculus! The bacteria continue to multiply and flourish inside the calculus, which continues to accumulate more plaque, over time.
Periodontal (gum) disease begins with gingivitis. This can be diagnosed by red, swollen and bleeding gums. A normal cleaning generally reverses the problem at this early stage. Normal brushing and flossing can also eliminate most gingivitis, however an examination and professional cleaning is required to make sure that the disease does not progress.
Periodontal (gum) disease can progress to more advanced stages, as the calculus and plaque continues to build-up more bacteria and more toxins. In the middle to late stages, the progressing infection dissolves the bone around the teeth. As the bone is lost so is the support to the teeth. The teeth can become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
What are the signs of periodontal (gum) disease?
If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal (gum) disease, see US immediately:
- gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
- red, swollen or tender gums
- gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- bad breath that doesn't go away
- pus between your teeth and gums
- loose teeth
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- a change in the fit of partial dentures
YOU CAN prevent periodontal (gum) disease!
You can help prevent periodontal (gum) disease by taking good care of your teeth every day and having regular dental checkups. Here's how to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day!
This helps remove most of the film of bacteria from the teeth. Sonic based technology toothbrushes are the best tool for cleaning your teeth. We recommend Oral-B Sonic Complete S-320. A sonic brush can clean your teeth and remove plaque significantly more effectively than regular brushes. The dynamic fluid motion induced by the sonic waves are very effective at doing an optimal job of cleaning your teeth. Other benefits of using Sonic brushes is that they are gentler to your teeth and decrease the effects of abrasion and recession (wearing of the gum and neck of the tooth areas) which can be caused by brushing too vigorously with a normal brush. Tooth abrasion/recession occurs because of mechanical or frictional force. Brushing too hard is a common cause of the tooth surface wearing away. Sonic brushes help to reduce this problem. Abrasion and recession can also can be caused by bruxing your teeth and wearing removable partial dentures or retainers. Toothbrush abrasion results in increased recession and V-shaped notches in the lower third of the tooth, near the gumline. Despite advice you may have read elsewhere (or been advised by your previous dental professional) abrasion and recession cannot be caused by toothpicks or interdental cleaners, when used properly!
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| Toothpick/Floss Cleaner |
Abrasion & Recession |
Clean between your teeth every day!
Cleaning between your teeth with floss, toothpicks, and/or interdental cleaners removes bacteria and food particles from between the teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach. Early periodontal (gum) disease can often be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. Our number one choice for interproximal cleaning is using plastic interdental (toothpick-style) cleaners (Dentek). You must receive proper instructions on how to use these so that you don’t damage your gums. Floss is our second choice and we recommend that both methods are used, interchangeably, at least twice daily. Floss is best at preventing cavities between your teeth!
Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay. We recommend that you use a high strength fluoride mouthrinse such as ACT or Oral-B Fluorinse at least once a day for 4 minutes
It is important to have regular dental checkups and professional cleanings to prevent periodontal diseases.
Eat a balanced Diet!
Choose a variety of foods from the basic food groups, such as breads, cereals and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; and dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Limit between-meal snacks. Sugared sodas and pop are your worst enemy.
Read more about the impact of soda pop and your health by clicking on the blue tab below:
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DRINKING SODA POP & YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
(click blue tab to open and close panel)
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DRINKING SODA POP & YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
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The average American drinks more than 53 gallons of carbonated soft drinks each year. That is more than any other beverage, including milk, beer, coffee or water. |
Facts are According to Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey:
People who drink 3 or more sugary sodas daily have 62% more dental decay, fillings and tooth loss!
Soda Pop is sweetened normally with 10-12 tsp. of high fructose corn syrup, a highly processed sugar. "Diet" pop is sweetened with artificial sweeteners. Phosphoric or citric acid (and caffeine) are added to the mix. The fructose syrup has zero nutritional value. Caffeine, a mildly addictive stimulant, causes calcium excretion which can lead to increased risk of osteoporosis and kidney stones.
 Most people believe that diet sodas are a healthier alternative. This is far from the truth! The pH of regular and diet pops ranges from 2.47-3.35. The PH in our mouth is normally about 6.2 to 7.0, slightly more acidic than water. At a PH of 5.2 to 5.5, or below, the acid begins to dissolve the hard enamel of our teeth, causing cavities and destruction of the teeth.
Phosphoric and citric acids contribute to the acidity of pop. It takes approximately 32-8oz. cans of water to neutralize one 8oz. can of soda. A can of soda is 10,000 times more acidic than your normal body ph. Below is a look at how some soda pops compare to water as well as to battery acid.
| Product |
Acid
Low=BAD |
Sugar
per 12 oz |
| Pure Water |
7.00 (neutral) |
0.0 |
| Barq's |
4.61 |
10.7 tsp. |
| Diet Coke |
3.39 |
0.0 |
| Mountain Dew |
3.22 |
11.0 tsp. |
| Gatorade |
2.95 |
3.3 tsp |
| Coke Classic |
2.63 |
9.3 tsp. |
| Pepsi |
2.49 |
9.8 tsp. |
| Sprite |
3.42 |
9.0 |
| Diet 7-Up |
3.67 |
0.0 |
| Diet Dr. Pepper |
3.41 |
0.0 |
| Surge |
3.02 |
10.0 |
| Gatorade |
2.95 |
3.3 |
| Hawaiian Fruit Punch |
2.82 |
10.2 |
| Orange Minute Maid |
<2.80 |
11.2 |
| Dr. Pepper |
2.92 |
9.5 |
| BATTERY ACID |
1.00 |
0.0 |
Data Source:
Minnesota Dental Association |
The threshold pH for enamel dissolution is 5.5. |
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A lot of people may not realize that phosphoric and citric acid can limit calcium absorption and have a direct effect on bone density. This becomes a serious issue, especially for young girls who require calcium in their formative years to avoid the danger of broken bones while they are young. It also becomes a consequence later in life when osteoporosis (broken bones) can have grave dangers.
Consumption on the Rise!
Soda consumption has increased over 500% over the past 40 years. What's the soft drink attraction? Studies have shown, for both regular and diet soft drinks, the sugar and artificial sweeteners both create a yearning for that sweet taste of sugar. What the advertising doesn't tell you is that sugar can become an addiction that our bodies crave on a daily basis. Its ill effects are definitely being felt. Males in the 12-29 age range are the largest group of soda drinkers.
Health risks from over consumption include diabetes, kidney stones, obesity, osteoporosis, and tooth destruction. Other effects can be chronic fatigue, connective tissue breakdown, increased risk of esophageal cancer, and stress. Sugar creates serious detrimental effects to the teeth and the periodontium (the bone and gums that surround and support the teeth). Tooth decay, recurrent decay, gingival inflammation, and periodontal infections are all common side effects of the sugar loading.
Today, kids consume way too much sugar (29 to 40tsp/day) as compared to 40 years ago. Teenagers are getting approximately 40% of their sugar/energy calories from soft drinks, while they are drinking less milk and getting less calcium.
SPORTS DRINKS
While sports and energy drinks may help athletes re-hydrate after a long workout, they can cause harmful damage to the teeth when consumed in excess. These drinks also containphosphoric and citric acids. This group of drinks include lemonade, energy drinks, sports drinks, fitness water, and ice tea.
It may be prudent to predict that most of us will not stop consuming sodas or sports drinks.
So, what can you do to limit the bad effects?
- Decrease the number of cans per day to 1.
- Consume that 1 can with a meal to help neutralize some of the acid.
- Drink through a straw to decrease the direct contact with the teeth.
- Rinse with water after drinking.
- Use a high strength fluoride mouthrinse such as ACT or Oral-B Fluorinse at least once a day for 4 minutes.
- Drink city water more often; be careful with excess bottled water consumption as you will not receive enough fluoride.
- Never drink pop when you are thirsty; this is not a way to rehydrate, it actually causes you to become more thirsty.
- Drink milk and eat cheese to help mineralize your tooth structure.
GUM DISEASE TREATMENT
For the latest and most modern, Conservative Treatment for Periodontitis please click the blue tab below:
GUM DISEASE TREATMENT (click blue tab to open and close panel)
The Perio-Protect System
 Many people avoid or fear going to the dentist for a variety of popular reasons.
Do you avoid visiting a dentist because of:
• Bleeding gums
• Unusually foul breath
• Painful cleanings
• Sensitive/sore teeth
• Long appointments
• Expensive treatments
• Embarrassment because you hate to floss
Dr. Halmaghi of Comfort Dental now provides a newly FDA Approved treatment system Perio Protect ® that enables his patients to administer a home-based treatment program that allows him to treat gum problems with:
- • No Shots
- • No Pain
- • No Lengthy Appointments
- • No Painful Scraping
- • No Expensive Surgery
It is well known that gum disease is the main reason that people lose their teeth and yet remains, for many, an undiagnosed problem. The Perio Protect ® system, which is very easy to use, has been proven (over 16 years of research and clinical trials) to kill harmful bacteria within 72 hours.
Inflammation and swelling become more controlled which eventually leads to the elimination of bleeding gums. Foul breath, for many patients, is eliminated.
How it Works
You will be fitted with custom made mouth-pieces (trays), similar to athletic mouthguards. They’re very thin, soft, and comfortable! A special gel is placed inside of your custom-made trays. This gel seeps above and below the gumline eliminating all calculus (tartar) and bacteria.
You will be instructed on the frequency of wear, based on your diagnosis. The entire treatment is done in the comfort of your own home. Furthermore, we have noticed that the treatment also whitens your teeth and freshens your breath, while reducing cavities and curing gum disease.
At each subsequent dental visit, our hygienist will gently remove any remaining softened deposits and evaluate the progress of your healing. Your dental visits will be quick, easy, and painless.
Imagine ...a new way of eliminating dental problems without going to the dentist!
Regular and Surgical Treatment for Periodontitis:
For info on Gum Disease treatment please click on the blue box below:
PERIODONTITIS TREATMENT (click blue tab to open and close panel)
Scaling and Root Planings
Scaling and root planning is the most effective non-surgical method of treating gum disease. Ultrasonic and hand scaler instruments are used to remove dental plaque and dental calculus from beneath the gums in order to eliminate the cause of periodontitis.
Scaling and root planning is normally done by using anesthesia in order to provide you with a total comfortable experience. Most patients can return to their regular activities following the scaling procedure. If you're still worried about pain, we can always prescribe something for post-treatment discomfort.
As with any dental procedure, patients should discuss their medical history and medications with us to avoid complications.
Root planing and scaling can introduce harmful bacteria into the bloodstream. Normally, we prescribe antibiotics before and after surgery. It is also important for you to tell us if you have a condition that puts you at high risk for developing a severe infection, such as:
- Damaged or artificial heart valves.
- A congenital heart defect.
- An impaired immune system.
- Liver disease (cirrhosis).
- An artificial joint, such as a hip replacement.
- A history of bacterial endocarditis.
Keeping it Healthy
Once scaling is complete, preventative care is necessary to keep gums healthy. Plaque can return and build-up on your teeth as
soon
as 8 hours after the procedure is completed. Brushing and flossing daily will help fight the dental plaque that is constantly forming around teeth. Regular dental visits are also required to remove the dental calculus you've missed. We recommend that all patients who are treated with scaling return every 4 months for follow-up care. We will most likely change your daily brushing and flossing routines
and we always recommend interdental cleaners, such as plastic toothpicks.
SURGICAL APPROACHES TO GUM PROBLEMS
Periodontal surgery may be necessary when we determine that the tissue around your teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment, such as scaling and root planing. There are 3 types of surgical treatments most commonly prescribed in our office:
- Gingival Flap surgery
- Gingivectomy
- Crown Lengthening
Gingival Flap Surgery
In most patients, the nonsurgical procedure of scaling and root planing is all that is needed to treat gum diseases. However, surgery
may be required when the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with nonsurgical options.
Your bone and gum tissue fit snugly around your teeth, sort of like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, the supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth.
Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to live. The bacteria set off a focal point of infection resulting in bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted.
Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are the basic reasons for any gum disease treatment. However, eliminating bacteria alone may not be sufficient to prevent disease recurrence. Deeper pockets are more difficult to clean. Scaling, alone, may
not be able to correct these advanced problems.
Gingival flap surgery can be done along with scaling and root planning, or it may be recommended as a separate procedure, normally
3 months after scaling is completed. We strive to always limit the number of procedures a patient requires and always strive to complete all periodontal treatments in the fewest number of visits. For the majority of our patients, we will complete scaling, root planning, and
flap surgery all in one visit. This avoids more treatment and costs down the road and it normally does not decrease the outcome of care.
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The gum is lifted from the tooth so the diseased tissue can be removed. The bone may also be reshaped.
After surgery, the gum is repositioned and often sutured in place. |
First, we remove all plaque and tartar (calculus) from around your teeth by scaling and root planning. Then, we separate the gums away from the teeth in order to allow us to reach the root of the tooth and the bone. We continue to remove any remaining tartar from the root surfaces and then we perform osseous recontouring, a procedure which smoothes the edges of the bone. Files or rotating burs are normally used to smooth the bone and provide the optimal architecture which is required to fit the bone, gums, and teeth back into harmony. After these procedures are completed, the gums will be placed back against the teeth and anchored in place using stitches. Antibiotic gels or surgical packs may also be used to decrease discomfort and eliminate the infection more rapidly. Antibiotics are usually prescribed and may be recommended for an extended period of time in order to effectively eradicate all remaining areas of infections in your jaw bones.
Crown Lengthening
Is a sub-division of gingival flap procedures and it is normally done on 1 or 2 teeth to expose a natural, broad smile . During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. We may also recommend crown lengthening to make a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. Perhaps your tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so we can restore it properly.
Gingivectomy
A less intrusive method of correcting pocket depths is done via reduction of excess gum tissue, without opening the gums. Gingivectomy can also be used to lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or to improve the esthetics of your gum line.
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