CONTROLLING GUM DISEASE

Gum disease, also called gingivitis (in the earlier reversible stages) or periodontitis (in

the more advanced stages where some irreversible damage has occurred), is possibly the most common disease known to man---the only other possible contender is the common cold. It is gum disease, not tooth decay, which is responsible for most tooth loss in adults---and 3 out of 4 adults have it. But because gum disease is usually painless it can easily go undetected or be ignored. The earliest signs that many people notice are bleeding gums or persistant bad breath. This is often ignored as "normal" or "not very serious" and the next sign is often loose teeth---at which point it is often too late to save them. Regular dental exams (including x-rays and probing) help in detecting gum disease early and allow us to advise you on the appropriate steps to take. It is more accurate to consider gum disease as a condition which may be controlled but not cured.

 HOW IS GUM DISEASE CONTROLLED?

Gum disease is a bacterial infection---but no medicine "cures" it. Instead, daily physical removal of harmful plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) which forms at and beneath the gumline of each tooth is the most reliable way of controlling gum disease. This removal can usually be accomplished by simply brushing and flossing each tooth thoroughly---however, two common problems often interfere with our ability to do this:

First is the accumulation of rough mineral deposits on our teeth called calculus (also called "lime" or "tartar"). Everyone forms this on their teeth, although some form it more rapidly and in greater quantities than others. Teeth are normally very smooth and easy to clean, but over time as

calculus forms it roughens the tooth surface. This causes much of the plaque bacteria to become

entangled so that it can no longer be brushed or flossed away......... instead it must be removed by

scraping with a dental instrument (called scaling---which is done at a dental cleaning).

  For people who have had uncontrolled gum disease for some time there may be a second problem---pockets. While it is normal to have a shallow space (3 mm or less) beneath the gumline around each tooth people with pockets have deeper spaces around their teeth. Even their best brushing and flossing efforts may not be able to clean these areas--so plaque bacteria is left behind and the gum disease continues to worsen.

WHO DOES WHAT IN CONTROLLING GUM DISEASE?

.THE DENTIST & HYGIENIST:

We tell you if you have gum disease (by looking, probing, and taking x-rays as needed).

If you do, we will tell you what should be done to control it--and updates on how you are doing. We scrape & polish your teeth to make them smooth enough for you to keep clean.

We tell you how often you need to come in for cleanings to control your gum disease, and we may prescribe medications or special cleaning devices to help you with your home mainatainance. If indicated, we recommend that you see a periodontist (a gum disease specialist )--this is usually done if you have deep pockets where you and we cannot reach to remove plaque & calculus.

.THE PERIODONTIST:

He/she evaluates more advanced or severe gum disease problems that cannot be controlled by simple cleanings and home care. If indicated, deep pockets will be surgically altered to make them more accessible to you and us for maintainance.

. YOU

Even if you receive routine cleanings to keep your teeth smooth, if you do not take advantage of this to daily remove the bacterial plaque from around the gums of your teeth you will not control your gum disease. Nothing that we (or a periodontist) can do will make up for inadequate home care (hasty or incomplete cleaning habits). Thorough brushing, flossing or otherwise cleaning around each tooth you wish to keep must be done daily by you at home. Ask us if you need help.