Up to 80% of the population has some form of gum disease but are not aware of it.   Gum disease is a persistent bacterial infection surrounding one tooth or several teeth.  The disease is caused when bacteria (found in plaque) produces toxins and enzymes that irritate the gums causing inflammation and infection.

What does gum disease look like in your mouth?

• Swollen gums
• Dark build up between teeth
• Bleeding gums when you floss
• Constant bad breath
• Loose teeth

What can be done to treat gum disease?

Your Part:

We believe that the daily treatment and removal of oral bacteria and plaque are both key strategies to maintaining a healthy mouth. Dr. Neely and her team will help you find the right “tools” to help combat periodontal disease in your mouth.  We do not nag “FLOSS FLOSS FLOSS” if that does not work for you.  If it doesn’t work for you at home, we realize you won’t do it.  40% of the tooth is in between the tooth, and Dr. Neely & Melody the Hygienist, want to help you get to those areas.

Our Part:

Diagnosis

Regular checkups greatly increase your potential for early detection and conservative treatment which is non-surgical.  We assess the severity of your condition by measuring the pocket depth around every tooth with a periodontal probe.   A healthy pocket (around every tooth) is typically 3mm deep or less. The greater the pocket depth, the more severe your periodontal disease is. When the pocket attracts tartar, food particles, or bacteria inside of it (like a splinter), the gums and bone pull back off of the tooth root. Your body can’t fight this infection with the “splinter” stuck to the root. The resulting condition is a deeper and deeper pocket. This ensures a progressive breakdown of the tissue and bone.

Treatment

• Healthy Gums, but stained teeth

We use Air Polishing to removing stains on teeth.  We use a powder formula that helps desensitize the root surface.  We also have traditional prophy paste with different formulas to treat sensitivity.  

• Gingivitis: (early phase of periodontal disease) 

Initial Periodontal Therapy (IPT): If it has been over a year since your last cleaning, and you do have gingivitis, we often need to have an initial appointment to remove the build up with ultrasonics and lavage the area with therapeutic rinses.  The hygienist reviews and tweeks home care system and will have you rinse with antibacterial rinse for 2 weeks.  At the second appointment, we air polish the teeth.  Some patients can then return to a cleaning every 6 months, but some do need to have more frequent appointments to keep the bacteria and tartar build up down. 

• Periodontal Disease 

Active Periodontal Therapy (APT):  If the disease progresses to cause deeper pockets, we will need to numb the area to clean the bacteria out of the pockets.  This is called scaling and root planning. . We use ultrasonics to remove tarter, plaque, and bacteria.   We will work with you to find a technique that works for you at home to maintain.  Often, we look at diet, vitamins, oral rinses, probiotics, and xylitol to add to home care.  

Supportive Periodontal Therapy (SPT): The bacteria that is removed from the pockets recolonizes (builds back up) in about 90 days.  Therefore, after scaling and root planning, we recommend a maintenance appointment every 3 months.