As your Fair Oaks Dental office we are excited to announce a new product that can help treat and prevent serious gum disease. Before I go into this I want to go over what gum disease is.
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?
When a dentist or hygienist examines your teeth they use a periodontal probe. They measure the gap between the pocket of your gum and its nearby tooth. The gap is measured in millimeters. The bottom of the pocket is where the tissue is connected through ligaments to the root.
When a tooth has signs of gum disease the tissue begins to detach from the tooth. This creates a deeper gap. Healthy gums usually measure between 1-3 mm. However, gums that measure from 4 mm or higher have various stages of disease. For example, you may have some 2 and 3's on your exam. But if you have any 4's you have some gum disease that needs immediate attention.
STAGES OF GUM DISEASE
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene.
Periodontal Disease
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontal disease. Consequently the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth. Bacteria can then more easily destroy the underlying bone that supports the teeth. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care, whereas advanced periodontal disease may require surgery. Therefore it is important we catch gum disease early.
Diseases in your body
Even more serious, the infection of your gum disease can spread and lead to additional damage to your body. Research today is leading to indicate that other parts of the body can become affected through the bloodstream. Gum disease is now being linked to heart disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and other circulatory system issues.
TREATMENTS FOR GUM DISEASE
Gingivitis
Professional dental cleaning
Ongoing care
Periodontal Disease (non-surgical)
Scaling
Root planning
Antibiotics
Follow up cleaning every three to six months
Periodontal Disease (Surgical)
Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery)
Soft tissue grafts
Bone grafting
Guided tissue regeneration
Tissue-stimulating proteins
In summary, the health of your gums is important for your overall health. Firstly, healthy gums are needed to support your teeth. Secondly, disease of your gums can lead to other diseases in your body. Therefore, if you have any numbers on your gum exam of 4 or above, it is vital you work with your dentist to start treatment immediately.
WE TAKE GUM DISEASE SERIOUSLY
At Fair Oaks Quality Dental our mission is for each of our patients to have healthy mouths so they can lead a healthy life. Ideally you should only need regular checkups and cleaning to maintain a healthy mouth. Therefore, we take gum disease very seriously. We are alert to any situation that could lead to an unhealthy mouth for our patients.
So now I am very excited to tell you about a new product to help us fight gum disease. It is called Perio Protect®. Perio Protect is a minimally invasive, highly effective method of treating gum disease. We prescribe it but you do the treatment at home. First we make an impression of your mouth. Then we use this impression to make a special prescription tray for you. The trays are designed with a patented seal to place and hold medication where it is most effective – at the site of infection deep below the gum line. A low concentration of hydrogen peroxide gently and thoroughly cleanses the periodontal pockets, combating bacteria, whitening your teeth and refreshing your breath.
For some patients, the non-invasive Perio Trays reduce the need for surgical intervention. For others, it can be a potent compliment to traditional treatment methods, helping to ensure a more successful outcome.
We now have this new product available in our office here in Fair Oaks. We can give you a personal demonstration of what it is and how it works. Your health is important to us!
Sincerely,
Dr. Nahid Afshari, DDS
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