| | | Hygiene Department
Gum disease is a problem for over 75% of the adult population. Because it often goes unnoticed until the later stages, it has often been called a "silent epidemic" in American culture.
Some of the signs and symptoms of gum disease are red, swollen gum tissue, bleeding of the gums when you brush or floss, chronic bad breath, and loose teeth.
Cause of gum disease
The cause of gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. This infection is worsened by the presence of plaque and tartar on your teeth. When this tartar is not removed professionally by a dentist or dental hygienist, an infected pocket can form around the tooth.
When this pocket deepens, the infection can spread to the fibers supporting the tooth and to the surrounding bone. Left untreated, this gum disease can lead to the formation of an dental abscess and the loss of one or more natural teeth.
Gum disease linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and stroke.
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Treatment
Treatment for gum disease can be surgical or non-surgical in nature. Surgical treatment involves removing the diseased gum tissue through either a minor procedure, called a gingivectomy, or through a more extensive (and expensive) procedure, called periodontal (gum) surgery.
This is usually necessary when the pockets around the teeth are 6 millimeters deep or deeper, or where the infection is especially bad. Non-surgical treatment includes two methods.
1. Laser Treatment - Laser treatment is a non invasive technology for treating gum disease. Bacteria living in the sulcus
surrounding the tooth is cleaned and killed by use of a Laser. The Laser sends ultra high energy into the sulcus to kill the bacteria. As well as killing the bacteria the Laser will improve healing from periodontal disease and help with reattachment of healthy tissue. We have found this to be a very effective way to treat periodontal disease.
2. Antibiotic treatment can be used when the infection of the gums is limited, and the amount of bone loss is not too
deep (pockets less than 6 millimeters deep). When this is the case, we clean all the surfaces of the tooth debriding it of plaque and tartar and then use the Laser to disinfect the area. For more persistent areas it may be necessary to place a time-released topical tetracycline antibiotic called Arestin (Link is www.Arestin.com) to finish the job.
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| Prevention So how does one prevent this silent epidemic? The answer is in the coordinated partnership between the dental office and the patient. We clean your teeth on a regular basis, and you work hard at home to keep the levels of plaque and tartar to a minimum.  In addition, proper diet and nutrition are essential if gums are to remain healthy and strong. For this, I recommend plenty of protein in the diet (to supply the amino acids necessary for wound healing) and supplementation with normal vitamins and minerals as recommended by your physician or nutritionist.
Also, the restriction of refined sugar in one's diet (colas, candy, etc) is essential for healthy teeth and gums.
What can you do if you think you have gum disease?
Contact our office at 801-553-9824. We will schedule an examination appointment for you. If the gum disease is early and not too bad, sometimes all you need is a cleaning. The sooner this disease is treated, the less difficult and more successful the treatment will be. |
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