June Oral Hygiene Tip

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal Disease is an infection in the gum tissue that can cause the breakdown of the teeth in the socket. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the infection can cause the teeth to loosen in the socket and ultimately cause the loss of teeth.

Where does the bacteria come from?

The bacteria that cause periodontal disease comes from plaque left on the teeth. Once that plaque hardens into what is called calculus, it will separate the tooth from the gum tissue. This creates a pocket where the bacteria will sit and start to form colonies which cause infection. If left in the pocket long enough, it will travel to the bone that holds your teeth and cause bone loss.

How do we treat Periodontal Disease?

To treat the infection so that it becomes inactive we must perform a procedure called Scaling and Root Planing. This procedure involves numbing the gum tissue so that we can reach the area of infection without causing pain to the patient. Once the area is thoroughly disinfected, we can place a local antibiotic to help fight off bacteria while the tissue is healing.

How do I help keep the infection from becoming active again?

The best way to keep the infection from becoming active is by making sure that you are getting your periodontal maintenance visits done as often as your hygienist recommends. Make sure that you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Using a mouth rinse twice a day will help to decrease the number of bacteria in your mouth. Flossing at least once a day to ensure that we are getting the plaque out from in between the teeth.

Always remember that good health starts in your mouth!

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