The loss of gum and bone due to a bacterial infection around your teeth is best treated by removing the bacteria and toxins that are causing the bone and tissue loss. If periodontitis is identified at its earlier stages, nonsurgical treatment is usually sufficient to correct any problems that exist. A deep cleaning, usually done under local anesthesia for patient comfort, allows us to go deeper under the gum line to clean out any plaque or tartar that is not accessible with normal oral hygiene efforts or with a regular cleaning. A deep cleaning is a noninvasive procedure that allows you to proceed with your day immediately after the treatment.

For more advanced gum disease, noninvasive deep cleanings are used to try to eliminate as much disease as possible. If deep cleanings are insufficient to correct the problem, more advanced strategies to eliminate the disease process will be evaluated.

TREATMENT FOR RECESSION

Most recession, loss of the bone and gum on the outside of the tooth, does not need to be treated. If the recession is progressing, treatment options will need to be evaluated to stop the disease progression. The most common cause of progressive recession is an inadequacy of supporting gum tissue on the tooth. Treatment for this problem is to add new supporting tissue around the tooth. Adding supporting tissue is predictable and has good long term success.

HOME CARE FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Proper oral hygiene is cornerstone to preventing and treating most types of gum disease. It is important to incorporate daily brushing and flossing along with regular cleaning visits at your dentist’s office to avoid having gum problems. Most gum disease problems, as well as decay problems, stem from bacteria causing damage to the tooth and gums. Oral hygiene is the mechanism by which we keep these bacteria in check and prevent them from doing damage to the teeth and gums.

BRUSHING

Proper brushing daily is very important to your oral health. Selection of the right toothbrush is important to make sure that you are cleaning the teeth without damaging the teeth and gums. Medium and hard bristled brushes are not recommended and will do damage to the teeth and gums with over aggressive use. Always select a soft bristled brush. While electric toothbrushes are excellent tooth brushes and provide the best cleaning action, they are not necessary for most people. If you are going to use an electric toothbrush, our doctors recommend the Sonicare toothbrush.

To properly brush, position the brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth and gums and gently massage the bristles of the toothbrush under the gums. After brushing the gum line, brush the tops of the teeth, the gums and your tongue. It would be best to brush 2 – 3 times per day.

FLOSSING

Flossing is the most important, and usually the most neglected, aspect of daily oral hygiene. Flossing can be a little awkward and time consuming; however, flossing is the only way to clean between the teeth which is the most common place for gum disease to develop and a very common place for decay to develop. Flossing will remove the bacteria and plaque between the teeth and should be done at least one time a day.

To floss, use about an 18” piece of floss. Either waxed or unwaxed floss works, but Doctors feels that unwaxed floss is more effective at removing plaque. Wrap a majority of the floss around the middle fingers of each hand. Use the forefinger and thumb on each hand to gently guide the floss in between the teeth. Make a “C” shape against the surface of one tooth and in an up and down motion gently work the floss up underneath the gum tissue until you feel a slight resistance. Once you have cleaned that tooth surface reverse the “C” and floss along the adjacent tooth.

Rinse when you have completed flossing to remove any debris or plaque that you may have dislodged during flossing.

SENSITIVE TEETH

Cold sensitivity is common following periodontal therapy. The cold sensitivity will improve over time but it may take three months before you see any significant improvement. If cold sensitivity is an issue for you, try one of the sensitivity reducing toothpastes. If the sensitivity persists, let Our Doctors know and we will be able to give you additional recommendations.