Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontology
Periodontal disease
is a serious infection of the gums and other tissues surrounding the
teeth. Millions of Americans have periodontal disease. Left untreated, it
can lead to tooth and bone loss. The welcome news is that periodontal
treatment can make your mouth healthier and help you keep your teeth.
What Are The Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?
Why Do I Need Periodontal Surgery?
Will A Periodontal Surgery Hurt?
How Long Will It Take To Heal?
Will Insurance Cover The Surgery?
What Can I Do To Avoid Periodontal Disease?
When Should I See A Periodontist?
What Kinds Of Oral Care Products Should I Use?
What are the Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?
What are my risks?
What Are The Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?
Though the symptoms of periodontal disease are often subtle, the disease
is not entirely without warning signs. If you check any of the boxes
below, be sure to talk with your dentist.
-
Gums that bleed when you brush or
floss
-
Red, swollen, or tender gums
-
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
-
Formation of deep pockets between
teeth and gums
-
Loose of shifting teeth
-
Changes in the way teeth fit together
when you bite
Why Do I Need Periodontal Surgery?
You need periodontal surgery because your
periodontist has determined that the tissues around your teeth are
unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.
Will A Periodontal Surgery Hurt?
New treatment options using refined
techniques can be performed comfortably as office procedures. Improvements
in medications, local anesthesia, anxiety and pain control, and, in some
cases, conscious sedation, are available to make your treatment more
pleasant and comfortable.
How Long Will It Take To Heal?
It’s important to follow the doctor’s
instructions. Patients generally can expect to enjoy their normal routine
the following day. Talk with your periodontist about any special
post-operative considerations you may have, such as diet, exercise or
follow-up medications. This will help to minimize disruption of your daily
activities.
Will Insurance Cover The Surgery?
Many insurance plans pay a portion of
periodontal services. Your periodontal health is important, so talk to
your periodontist about payment options. Oftentimes, the office staff will
work with your insurance company to secure maximum benefits.
What Can I Do To Avoid Periodontal Disease?
To keep your teeth for a lifetime, you
must remove the plaque from your teeth and gums every day with proper
brushing and flossing. Regular dental visits are also important. Daily
cleaning will help keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won't
completely prevent it. A professional cleaning at least twice a year is
necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may
have missed.
When Should I See A Periodontist?
Sometimes the only way to detect
periodontal disease is through a periodontal evaluation. A periodontal
evaluation may be especially important if you:
-
notice any symptoms of periodontal disease, including:
-
gums that bleed easily, such as during brushing or flossing
-
red, swollen or tender gums
-
gums that have pulled away from the teeth
-
persistent bad breath
-
pus between the teeth and gums
-
loose or separating teeth
-
a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
are thinking of becoming pregnant. Pregnant women who have
Periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby born too
early and too small. In addition, about half of women experience
"pregnancy gingivitis." However, women who have good oral hygiene and have
no gingivitis before pregnancy are very unlikely to experience this
condition.
-
have a family member with periodontal
disease. Research suggests that the bacteria that cause periodontal
disease can pass through saliva. This means the common contact of saliva
in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the
periodontal disease of another family member.
-
have heart disease, diabetes,
respiratory disease or osteoporosis. Ongoing research is showing that
periodontal disease may be linked to these conditions. The bacteria
associated with periodontal disease can travel into the blood stream and
pose a threat to other parts of the body. Healthy gums may lead to a
healthier body.
-
feel that your teeth are too
short or that your smile is too "gummy." Or, if you are missing one or
more of your teeth and are interested in a long-lasting replacement
option.
-
are not satisfied with
your current tooth replacement option, such as a bridge or dentures, and
may be interested in dental implants.
-
have a sore or irritation in
your mouth that does not get better within two weeks.
What Kinds Of Oral Care Products Should I
Use?
Here are some guidelines of what works for most patients most of the time.
To find out what is best for your particular needs, talk to your
periodontist.
-
Begin with the right equipment – a soft bristled toothbrush that allows
you to reach every surface of each tooth. If the bristles on your
toothbrush are bent or frayed, buy a new one. A worn-out brush will not
clean your teeth properly.
-
In addition to manual toothbrushes, your choices include automatic
toothbrushes and "high tech" electronic toothbrushes. These are safe and
effective for the majority of patients.
Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will not remove plaque from
your teeth unless used in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
-
Another aid is the rubber tip, often found on the handle end of a
toothbrush used to massage the gums after brushing and flossing.
-
Other options include interproximal toothbrushes (tiny brushes that
clean plaque between teeth) and interdental cleaners (small sticks or
picks that remove plaque between teeth). If used improperly, these dental
aids can injure the gums, so it is important to discuss proper use with
your periodontist.
What are the Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?
-
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
-
Red, Swollen, or tender gums
-
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
-
Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
-
Loose or shifting teeth
-
Changes in the way teeth fit together when you bite.
What are my risks?
Certain risk factors can make periodontal disease worse by limiting your
ability to fight infection. Others make it worse by lessening blood follow
to the gums and other tissues. Even if you have only one of the risk
factors listed below, you need to be extra committed to taking care of
your teeth and gums.
-
Tobacco use (smoking or chewing)
-
Diabetes
-
Family and/or previous history of periodontal disease
-
Weakened immune system
-
Stress
-
Use of certain medications, such as oral contraceptives, steroids, blood
pressure drugs, cancer-fighting drugs
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