Cleveland Periodontist |
Our office performs a thorough analysis of not just the teeth, but also the gums and bone. A periodontally healthy patient is one whose gums don’t bleed with brushing and flossing. If they do, chances are your gums aren’t healthy and you may have one of the stages of periodontal disease: GINGIVITIS Gingivitis is a milder and reversible
form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums (not the
bone). It develops as toxins in plaque irritate gums, making them
red, tender, swollen, and likely to bleed easily. It can usually
be eliminated by daily brushing, cleaning between your teeth, and
regular dental cleanings. PERIODONTITIS Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease, called periodontitis. There are several forms of periodontitis, with the most common being chronic adult periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when toxins,
enzymes, and other plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor
teeth into the bone. The gum line recedes, which can become susceptible
to decay and sensitive to cold and touch. Also, the gum “pockets”
deepen, which may indicate that a deeper cleaning is needed to thoroughly
remove the tartar deposits and bacterial colonies that form on the
tooth root surfaces. In most cases, we can comfortably anesthetize
the patient for this procedure without a needle! We may also recommend
local antibiotic therapy delivered painlessly into the gumline,
again without a needle, and a prescription antibacterial mouthwash
to aid in healing. |
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Depending on your level of periodontal health, our office will make a recommendation as to how often your teeth should be professionally cleaned, and what type of cleaning is most appropriate for you. Because of recent accumulated research, a patient’s periodontal status is NOT to be ignored. Many studies have established a probable link between periodontal disease and incidence of heart attack, stoke, coronary artery disease, diabetes, pneumonia and bacterial endocarditis. www.perio.org. A chemical called “C-Reactive Protein” is a marker of inflammation found in the body of a person with untreated periodontal disease. High levels of C-Reactive Protein are also found in persons with the above mentioned life-threatening systemic conditions. Additionally, diabetic patients with active periodontal disease may have a more difficult time controlling their blood glucose levels. These are just a small sampling of reasons why routine visits to your dentist for cleaning and exams aren’t to be taken lightly! |
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