Periodontal Treatment
Gingivitis, early gum disease, is reversible if treated in a timely fashion. There is only inflammation of the gums in this stage, and the bone and supporting structures have not been permanently damaged. With gingivitis, a good cleaning or two, along with improved home care, medicament rinses, and regular professional cleanings at intervals of 4-6 months is usually all that it takes to turn things around.
Early periodontal disease, occurs when there is some evidence of bone loss on the x rays, and increased numbers when probing with the dental (ruler) probe. There may be isolated areas where the pockets are slightly deeper, requiring limited scaling and root planing with anesthesia with Oraquix (liquid Lidocaine gel anesthesia, no shots), and an overall deep cleaning. Along with good home care, flossing, an electric toothbrush, prescription rinses, and sometimes even local antibiotics, like Arestin, we, at WINNING SMILES are able to bring things back to a healthy condition.
Moderate Periodontal Disease occurs when there are more pockets present in the mouth, and the depths of those pockets are deeper, for instance, 5 mm or greater. There is usually evidence of bone loss on the x-rays, along with bleeding, swelling of the gums, and sometimes there is an exudate (pus) present. Moderate periodontal disease is treated with root planing and scaling with anesthesia, Arestin antibiotics, and prescription mouth rinses. Using an electric toothbrush along with more frequent recalls/ professional cleanings (every 3 months) will help improve the health of the gums..
Health effects of perio
The bacteria and inflammation linked to periodontitis play a role in systemic diseases or conditions.
- Blood Cell Disorders
- HIV Infections & AIDS
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Stroke
- Low Birth Weight or Pre-term infants
- Diabetes
Bad Breath-Halitosis
Bad breath can be caused by:
- Morning breath – saliva flow slows down during sleep, bacteria accumulates and grows
- Foods – such as onions, garlic, foods that contain odor causing compounds enter the blood stream and are transferred to the lungs and exhaled
- poor dental hygiene – food basically rots in the mouth and is covered by bacteria which release sulfur compounds
- Dry Mouth Syndrome – xerostomia is caused by medications, certain disease, like Sjogren’s syndrome, HIV-AIDS, Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Also radiation and chemotherapy as well as nerve damage to the salivary glands
- Smoking or tobacco products
- Dehydration, hunger and missed meals
- Diet such as Atkins can give your breath an acetone odor
- Medical Conditions- Diabetes, liver and kidney disease, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Dry Mouth
Dry Mouth is caused by many things, including medications, disease, radiation, illness, aging and even stress. Consistent dry mouth affects your quality of life, making it difficult to swallow, speak and may increase the likelihood of cavities, plaque, periodontal disease and oral irritations. Chronic dry mouth is different than the dry mouth people can experience when they are nervous, upset or anxious.
Q. Why is saliva so important?
A. Saliva provides defense against decay by equalizing the pH in the mouth. It protects teeth from decay, it prevents infections, and it helps you to digest your food. The wetting ability of saliva aids in speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Without it, everything becomes more difficult.