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What Can Be Done?
Appropriate treatment by the general dentist and them the periodontist coupled with follow-up care by you can help to prevent recurrence and severe continuation of the disease.
Treatment usually begins with a deep scaling, which is a thorough cleaning of the tooth roots and any gum pockets. Plaque and tartar (calculus) are removed and the tooth roots are made smooth so harmful plaque (bacteria) cannot easily stick.
Oral hygiene is reviewed with emphasis on thorough daily brushing and flossing. Sometimes, the biting surfaces of the teeth may be adjusted to evenly distribute the chewing pressures throughout the mouth.
A reevaluation is usually done at this point to determine if any further treatment is necessary. Surgery is recommended for those patients who have an advanced form of the disease.
What happens on my first visit?
We begin with a medical and dental history, since your resistance to disease is affected by many factors. This is followed by a thorough periodontal examination of your mouth. I will then go over the findings and recommendations for treatment. Many patients find it helpful to bring their spouse or a friend with them. In most cases no treatment is performed at this appointment.
Can I delay treatment to a more convenient time?
Delaying diagnosis and treatment means delaying the benefits that treatment provides. Immediate diagnosis and treatment prevents further destruction to the gum and bone tissue. Your ability to enjoy a wide variety of foods and to taste your food properly will be protected. Also, you can avoid suffering unnecessary pain caused by the disease.
With treatment, a patient can eliminate the unpleasant taste in the mouth often associated with the disease as well as the embarrassment of offensive breath. Your appearance will be protected through early treatment as successive loss of teeth often encourages lines, wrinkles and a "sunken" look due to the loss of tone in the facial muscles.
A patient's self-confidence and self-image is often renewed through an improved appearance. Early treatment is also less expensive.
Periodontal disease can be stopped. Your mouth can be restored to health. And, with help from your family dentist, the disease need not return.
After periodontal treatment, is maintenance treatment necessary?
Absolutely! Periodontal treatment is divided into two phases. The first phase or the active phase to get your mouth healthy. The second phase or the maintenance phase is designed to keep your mouth healthy. Gum disease is a chronic disease. You can never be immune to it. But you can minimize the chances of it coming back. Studies have shown that periodontal treatment with maintenance is very effective at preserving ones teeth and dramatically reducing the incidence of tooth decay and gum disease recurrence. Studies have also shown that periodontal treatment without maintenance is of little value in the long run in preserving periodontal health.
The Implications of Periodontal Disease on your Medical Health
Over 25 million Americans suffer with chronic bad breath. Many people use mints and sprays to mask the odor, but these products do not address the cause of the problem. Dr. Rattner will perform a thorough examination to discover the cause of the problem and devise a treatment plan to address it.
While certain medical conditions such as lung infections, diabetes and digestive imbalances can cause bad breath, most cases of halitosis originate in the mouth. Bacteria that cause gum disease also release gasses called volatile sulfur compounds. These gasses are responsible to the odor of halitosis.
Treatment consists of a detailed review of your medical history and a thorough dental examination. Once the cause of the halitosis has been determined, Dr. Rattner can recommend a course of treatment to address the problem. Many times the results are quick and dramatic.
Tobacco Products and Gum Disease
Smoking is the most powerful risk factor for developing gum disease. Smokers are more than three times more likely to lose their teeth due to periodontal disease than nonsmokers. Nicotine depresses the body's immune system so it is less able to protect itself against gum. It also makes it harder for the body to repair itself, which means that healing is affected. Periodontal therapy is less effective in smokers than in nonsmokers. Pockets tend to reform more quickly and regenerative therapy is not as successful. We know that quitting smoking is not easy, but it can add decades to the life of your teeth.
Periodontal Disease and Women
From puberty to menopause, periodontal disease has implications for women.
Puberty, Menstruation, and Pregnancy
During puberty, menstruation and pregnancy there are increased levels of hormones, which will cause the gum to become more reactive to bacteria and other irritants in the mouth. This may appear as gums that bleed easily. During this time, it is especially important to practice good oral hygiene and have frequent professional cleanings. If not treated, the bone and gum surrounding the teeth may be compromised.
Many women feel that tooth loss from pregnancy is inevitable because the baby takes the calcium from the mother. There is a condition known as "Pregnancy Gingivitis." This condition is marked by red, swollen, tender, bleeding gums. This occurs in response to very little plaque and tartar (calculus).
It is very important to make sure your gums are healthy before becoming pregnant. Many times, an existing periodontal problem is greatly exacerbated during pregnancy. This can result is tooth loss. Working in concert with your OB/GYN, Dr. Rattner can tailor a preventative maintenance program to keep both your gums and your baby healthy during the pregnancy.
Low Birth Weight Babies
It's possible that if you have periodontal disease and are pregnant, you may be at risk for having a premature, low birthweight baby.
For a long time. we've known that many risk factors contribute to mothers having babies that are born prematurely at a low birthweight -smoking, alcohol use, drug use and infections.
Now evidence is mounting that suggest a new risk factor - periodontal disease. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early or too small.
If you are planning to become pregnant or are at risk for periodontal disease be sure to include a periodontal as part of your prenatal care - because healthy gums may lead to a healthier body and a healthy baby.
Oral Contraceptives
Women taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) may experience the same changes in the gums as pregnant women do. This is due to the fluctuations in hormone levels. If you are taking oral contraceptives and notice bleeding, reddened or sensitive gums, please contact our office.
Menopause
Many women take hormone replacement therapy during menopause. This may cause your gums to become more sensitive to local irritants like plaque and calculus. Some studies show that estrogen supplements may improve a women's oral health.
Heart Disease and Gum Disease
For a long time, we've known that bacteria may affect the heart. Now evidence is mounting that suggests people with periodontal disease - a bacterial disease, may be more at risk for heart disease than patients without periodontal disease. One study showed that heart disease was 25% more common in people with gum disease. Men under the age of 50 had a 75% greater risk of heart disease than men with healthy gums. Another study demonstrated that men with gum disease had twice the death rate from heart disease than men without gum disease. These studies suggest that gum disease could be a strong a risk factor for heart disease as smoking which is blamed for 40,000 heart-related deaths per year.
Gum Disease and the Diabetic Patient
Diabetic patients know how important it is to control their disease. But many diabetics do not know there is a relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Each one can make the other one worse. A diabetic is has a greater risk of periodontal disease if the diabetes is not well controlled. Uncontrolled periodontal disease can make it more difficult to control the diabetic state. Diabetics know that an infection will raise their blood sugar. Periodontal disease is an infection that has the same result.
If you are a diabetic, it is especially important to make sure that your gums are healthy. Your physician may be having difficulty controlling your blood sugar. This may become easier once the periodontal disease is controlled. In addition, your diabetic medications may need to be reduced once the gum disease is controlled. Dr. Rattner will work very closely with your physician to coordinate your care. Healthier gums can lead to a healthier body.
RECONSTRUCTIVE PERIODONTICS • DENTAL IMPLANTS • BOYNTON BEACH • FLORIDA