Gum & Bone Disease

MAJOR CAUSE OF TOOTH LOSS - PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Chances are that you or a family member have some stage of gum (periodontal) disease (80% of Americans do). The advanced stage used to be called pyorrhea. In the past this has been referred to as a disease that no one could catch from you. However, it is now known that periodontal disease can be transmitted from one individual to another. If it is detected in the very early stages, periodontal disease can be reversed.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have receded or shrunken away from your teeth
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• A change in your bite
• Bad breath (Halitosis)

Infective bacterial plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease. Plaque is a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. It is an infection. It takes 24 hours for plaque to mature and become harmful. This is why so much emphasis is placed on flossing once a day as flossing removes the plaque before damage is done. If teeth are not flossed and brushed, plaque will irritate the gums and cause them to become red, tender and swollen. If not removed, the plaque will harden to form calculus (tartar) around the neck of the tooth and under the gum tissue. Eventually, the tissue that attaches the gums to the teeth is destroyed by the buildup of plaque. The gums will pull away from the teeth and small pockets will form between the teeth and gums. These pockets will fill with more plaque eventually causing the jawbone supporting the teeth to be destroyed. Since this process usually does not cause any discomfort in the early stages, many people have periodontal disease and do not know it. In fact, over the age of thirty-five, four out of every five teeth lost is the result of periodontal disease.

It is now possible to treat many stages of periodontal disease without surgery. We remove the calculus deposits from your teeth with a procedure called "scaling" utilizing an ultrasonic device. We follow up when needed with medicaments to promote healing. We have found that we can get very good results with reducing pocket depths with this method and it is much more comfortable than the surgical alternative. Unless the teeth are cold sensitive, injections are not needed. A topical anesthetic can be placed between the tooth and gum with laser treatment in moderate and advanced stages.