Periodontal Disease Therapy
Periodontal (gum and jaw bone) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that when left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial build up along and below the gum line that causes inflammation due to a toxic release of chemicals in the gums. The toxins damage the gums, tiny tissue fibers that connect to the tooth and the bone. This causes them to pull away from the tooth resulting in gum and bone loss. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums and jaw bone to become inflamed and infected.
During a periodontal examination, Dr. Nehawandian and her hygienist, Jenna will diagnose the health of the gums and bones . A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the teeth and the gums. The depth of a healthy pocket measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.
Periodontal treatment (Gum and Jaw Bone Therapy) methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Dr.Nehawandian and her dental hygienist will evaluate the health of your gums and recommend the appropriate treatment.
It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)! Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention. Periodontal disease is episodic by nature.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, Dr. Nehawandian and her hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance Therapy (Active maintenance ), usually every 2 to 3 months, to keep active periodontal conditions under control. At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy. Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.
Full mouth laser maintenance may be recommended every nine to twelve months to reduce bacterial count and gingival inflammation. The academy of Laser Dentistry verifies that " lasers allow the clinician to reduce the amount of bacteria and other pathogens as well as disinfecting and detoxifying diseased tissue." Also laser therapy has been shown to boost the immune responses, reduce the severity of further disease processes, and improve overall health.
Good oral hygiene practices and active maintenance visits are essential in maintaining dental and overall health and keeping periodontal disease under control! Back
HALITOSIS (Bad Breath)
Halitosis, known as bad breath, can affect any of us at any time. Most of the time (85-90%) bad breath originates in the mouth. It caused by bacteria in our mouth. This bacteria is breaking down food debris which creates by products called volatile sulfur compounds (methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide) which emit a smell similar to rotten eggs. Because this bacteria needs an environment free of oxygen, they will live in areas that are difficult to reach-such as pockets around teeth; the grooves in the tongue and especially on the back of the tongue. In some conditions the bad breath may be caused by a systemic condition such as troubles with the pharynx, lungs or stomach.
