YOUR HEALTHY SMILE 1. A healthy mouth has firm, pink gums that do not bleed when probed, flossed, or brushed. The gum has a shallow crevice of 2-3mm around the neck of the tooth called the gingival sulcus. Flossing and brushing correctly cleans this area, so it is important to floss and brush daily. 2. When bacterial plaque accumulates in the sulcus, the gingival crest becomes red and irritated, a condition known as gingivitis. It bleeds easily when probed and when flossed or brushed correctly. The gum attachment starts to give way and the probe will now penetrate deeper into the sulcus. This is a pathologic condition known as pocket formation. This condition can usually be treated with scaling/root planning and improved oral hygiene. Periodontal (Gum) Disease Can Have Serious Medical Consequences WHY YOU NEED TO TREAT IT NOW RATHER THAN LATER! “People think of gum disease in terms of their teeth, but they don’t think about the fact that gum disease is a serious infection that can release bacteria into the bloodstream.†~Dr. Robert Genco, Editor Journal of Periodontology Periodontal (gum) Diseases include gingivitis and periodontitis which are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss and/or more serious medical problems. Periodontal disease is a chronic, ongoing bacterial infection that effects the gum and bone supporting the teeth. The constant supply of bacteria will eventually cause a breakdown of the soft tissue seal around the tooth and the bony support becomes infected. This creates a pocket of infection that can no longer be cleaned without professional help to reverse the process. How is this problem prevented? The best way to prevent this disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional exams and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress. Other important factors that contribute to periodontal disease: • Smoking • Hormones • Stress and Tension • Diabetes • Poor Nutrition • Other Systemic Diseases • Clenching & grinding Teeth • Some Prescription Medications PERIODONTAL INFECTION IS ALSO A MEDICAL PROBLEM 3. As plaque accumulates, it begins to calcify from the minerals in your saliva. This rough, hard deposit is called tartar. The tartar causes mechanical damage to the gum along with increasing amounts of bacterial toxins, which causes the supporting bone to begin eroding away. The probing depth gets deeper and this is referred to as periodontitis. The gums may begin to recede and the teeth may become loose. Deep scaling and root planning, along with improved hygiene is the first step to correction. When deep pockets exist, it is often difficult to remove all the plaque and tartar, consequently, surgery may be needed to restore health. 4. An advanced stage of periodontitis can be reached without much pain despite what the mouth may look like. Patients with this condition may not even be aware of the bad breath that accompanies the chronic puss drainage. The teeth may become mobile and shift causing unsightly spaces between the teeth. The bone damage is so advanced that surgery and/ or extraction may ultimately be necessary in order to regain health. Patient Education REJUVENATING RESTORING CREATING     1509 Heritage Lane, Florence, SC 29505 • • Monday – Thursday, 8am to 5pm • Fax 843-669-0141 • Phone 843-669-1836 843-669-1836 S. Edward Parker, DDS, PA HOW DOES GUM DISEASE DEVELOP? Click each item to see an enlargement. (Pictures courtesy of Oral B Laboratories a division of Procter & Gamble)  |
| View Flash Version |
