Periodontal Disease
Periodontal Disease
Bacteria found in plaque produces toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. As periodontal diseases progress, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated, this leads to tooth loss.
Other Important Factors Affecting the Health of Your Gums
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Medication
- Poor nutrition
Prophylaxis and Scaling & Root Planing information
Dental Prophylaxis
Most people need to see our hygienist for this appointment twice a year. However, some people need to follow a different schedule. If your teeth and gums are very healthy, we may not need to see you as often. Or, if you have a high risk of dental disease, we may recommend more frequent visits. People in high-risk groups may need to see us for a dental prophylaxis appointment every three or four months.
High-risk groups include people who smoke, people with gum disease, and people who tend to get a lot of cavities. Pregnant women, diabetics, or people with weakened immune systems may also need more appointments. Make sure we know about your health conditions so our hygienists can recommend an appropriate prophylaxis interval.
Scaling and Root Planing
If you have a stubborn case of gum disease, we may recommend a dental procedure called dental scaling to keep it from getting worse. Dental scaling is the most common non-surgical way to treat gum disease, which is also known as periodontitis. This will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and help your gums regain health. But if you have severe periodontal disease and your condition may require gum surgery, we may then refer you to a Periodontist. (Gum specialist)
Preventive Oral Care
We provide more than just a cleaning at Lifetime Dental Care® because our qualified and licensed dental hygienists specialize in preventive oral health care.
Preventing Gum Disease
The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
Quality Dental Care
- Our team consists of members with different experience levels to provide quality care at a competitive price level, and do our part to encourage and train the next generation of dental health professionals.
- We all strive to be on the cutting edge of technology and achieve this through hours of continuing education courses and seminars.
- We have experience treating patients of all ages and patients with special needs.
- We do our best to create an individualized, comfortable, and motivating environment for the patient to become informed and care about their dental health.