Periodontal health refers to the condition of the supporting structures around the teeth, including the gums, bone, and ligaments. Maintaining periodontal health is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and overall oral health. Here are some key points to consider when it comes to healthy versus unhealthy periodontal health:
Healthy periodontal health:
- Firm and pink gums that do not bleed when brushing or flossing
- No signs of swelling or inflammation in the gums
- Teeth that are firmly anchored in the bone and do not appear loose or wobbly
- Minimal buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth and gum line
- No signs of recession, where the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the root surfaces
- No pockets around the teeth where bacteria can accumulate and cause infection
Unhealthy periodontal health:
- Red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath or a persistent bad taste in the mouth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
- Receding gums that expose the root surfaces of the teeth
- Pockets around the teeth that are deeper than 3mm, indicating the presence of infection and bone loss
It's important to note that early-stage periodontal disease may not present with any noticeable symptoms, which is why regular dental check-ups are so important. Your dentist or hygienist can perform a periodontal assessment and recommend treatment if necessary to maintain or improve your periodontal health.
Here's what we do at Cummins Family Dental, using the above signs & symptoms to evaluate, diagnose, and treat periodontal disease.
- Routine periodontal examination to determine gum health
- Scaling and root planing to treat gum disease by removing calculus build up underneath the gum in pocketing.
- Perio Protect to treat gum disease to counteract bacteria that causes calculus build up.
Post Treatment Instructions:
- Your lips, teeth, cheek and/or tongue may be numb for several hours after the procedure. To avoid injury, you should avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your lip, cheek, or tongue while you are numb.
- Irritation to the gum tissue can occur from dental work. Rinsing your mouth 2-3 times per day with 1/2 tsp of warm saltwater can help alleviate discomfort. Injection sites can be sore for several days after your appointment. Over-the-counter pain medication work well to alleviate the tenderness.
- You may encounter some bleeding while brushing & flossing. It is important to continue gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush & flossing even if bleeding occurs. As healing progresses, the bleeding will gradually reduce or disappear.
- After removal of plaque and tartar buildup, it is common to have spaces between your teeth. and gum tissue. Some spaces may appear as "black triangles" near the gum area, whereas other spaces may separate the teeth. Flossing and brushing regularly will keep the spaces from building up with the plaque tartar.
- Normal healing results in some tissue tightening and shrinkage which may expose more tooth structure leading to sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweets. This is a common side effect and usually diminishes with time.
- Continue to brush & floss to remove plaque bacteria that produces acids which contributes to tooth sensitivity. Brushing with a "sensitivity toothpaste" will help alleviate the sensitivity over a 2-4 week time frame. If the sensitivity last longer, contact the office and special fluoride rinses or toothpastes may be prescribed.
- Normally after your "deep cleaning" your subsequent periodontal cleanings will be every 3 months (4 time per year) and is very important to maintaining good periodontal health, preventing reinfections and possible tooth loss.