Periodontal Dentistry

However, with regular scaling and root planing procedures, we can remove the build-up of plaque, tartar (calculus), and bacterial toxins (biofilms) from the tooth surface below gum lineline, which are the areas that general homecare practices are unable to reach.

At Lifepath Dental & Wellness, we make sure that you are on a twice-per-year frequency of maintenance and/or preventative care schedule. Some patients require more frequent visits depending on their own individual health needs.

In order to find appointment times that fit with busy and active lifestyles, most of our clients pre-schedule their next visits with us. We remind our patients with either a phone call, a text message, or an e-mail when it is time for their next preventative care visit.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues and bone that support your teeth. It is caused by bacteria that accumulate in plaque on your teeth and gums. It can cause inflammation, pain and tenderness with eating, swelling and bleeding of the gums, bad breath and misaligned teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. Lifepath Dental & Wellness offers treatments for periodontal disease so you can get back to a healthy mouth.

What is Gingivitis?

The most common form of periodontal disease is called “Gingivitis.” Gingivitis causes yourThe most common form of periodontal disease is called “Gingivitis.” Gingivitis causes your gums to become red and swollen. Because of this, they tend to bleed easily. However, at this stage of progression, you may only be experiencing little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is usually caused by an inadequate oral hygiene regimen. It is usually reversible with professional treatment and good oral hygiene habits such as regular brushing and flossing.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis may be caused by a number of factors that include:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Aging
• Disease
• Stress
• Genetic Predisposition
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal Fluctuations
• Infection
• Medication Use

What is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is the advanced form of gingivitis, which occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. Advanced gingivitis results in plaque below the gum line. This causes the invading bacteria to produce toxins and plaque, which irritate the gums themselves. The body reacts by producing an inflammatory response. This causes the body to essentially turn on itself. If Periodontitis is left untreated, the result is that the tissues supporting the bone and therefore the teeth themselves are broken down and destroyed by the bacteria and toxins.

The bacteria and toxins cause your gum tissues to separate from the teeth and form what is known as 'pockets.' These pockets are essentially spaces between the teeth and gums that have become infected. As the periodontitis progresses, these pockets deepen such that more gum and bone tissue are destroyed. Eventually, your teeth may become loose and may need to be removed as there is no longer any bone structure remaining to hold them in place.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Periodontitis?

Gum disease can occur at any age. If it is detected in its early stages, it can be reversed. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for that may signal the onset of gum disease:

• Are your gums red, puffy, swollen or tender?
• Do your gums bleed during brushing or flossing?
• Do your teeth look longer because your gums are receding?
• Have your gums separated or pulled away from your teeth, creating a pocket?
• Do you have changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite?
• Is there puss coming from between your teeth and gums?
• Do you have constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth?
• Do your teeth have a lot of plaque on them?
• Do you have a lot of tartar on your teeth?

How Do I Tell if I Have Healthy Gums?

If you have healthy gums, the gums are firm and don't bleed when either brushing or flossing. You will notice that your gums fit snugly around your teeth.

How Do I Know If I Have the Start of Periodontal Disease?

When you have the mildest form of Gingivitis (periodontal disease), the gums may appear mildly inflamed or appear red or swollen. If your gums bleed when brushing, this is also a major sign that you have periodontal disease.

Periodontitis is when your gums have begun to separate and recede from the teeth. This allows the plaque to move towards the roots, which function as the support mechanism to fibers and bone.

When you have advanced periodontitis, the supporting fibers and bones are decayed. This can end up causing your teeth to become loose and may even result in the need for their removal!

By booking regular teeth cleaning and oral health checks, we can help you stay on a path towards a lifetime of oral health!

How do you Treat Periodontal Disease?

If your periodontitis isn't in the advanced stages, then treatment may involve less invasive procedures, including:

• Scaling - Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and beneath your gums. It may be performed using instruments or an ultrasonic device.
• Root planing - Root planing smoothes the root surfaces, discouraging the further buildup of tartar and bacterial endotoxin.
• Antibiotics - Your Lifepath Wellness Dental Dentist may recommend using topical or oral antibiotics to help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or the insertion of gels containing antibiotics into the space between your teeth and gums or directly into the pockets after a deep cleaning. The use of oral antibiotics may be necessary to eliminate infection-causing bacteria.

If you think you are experiencing Periodontal Disease, contact us today to book an appointment. We look forward to answering your dental questions and to helping you and your family with all of your dental health needs.