Gum Disease Therapy
Wasilla, AK
 Periodontal comes from the terms perio which means around and dontal meaning teeth, which is why periodontal disease suggests any disorder or infection involving the structures around the teeth such as gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. While most people may not be familiar with periodontal disease per se, many are aware of the earliest stage of this disease, which is gingivitis or infection of the gums. We, at Aurora Dental Care, always stress to our patients the importance of caring for their gums as much as they care for their teeth. Studies have shown that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults.
Causes of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is caused primarily by bacterial plaque. This is the sticky substance that forms on your teeth wherein bacteria multiply. Your body is naturally designed to fight bacteria, unfortunately, the natural response of the body against bacteria also contributes to periodontal problems. The moment the bacteria in dental plaque proliferates in your teeth, the cells of your immune system will address this issue by releasing substances that will eliminate bacteria. These substances, however, do not only affect bacteria, but also causes havoc on the structures surrounding the teeth as well. The immune response of the body causes bleeding and swollen gums, loosening of the teeth, and other signs of periodontal disease.
Recent studies also reveal that other factors, apart from bacterial plaque, increase the risk of developing periodontal disease and even worsen its condition. Such factors include genetics, medical conditions like diabetes, fluctuating hormones, smoking and tobacco use, certain medications that cause dry mouth, and poor nutrition.
Treating Periodontal Disease
It is important for people to understand that they do not have to suffer the negative consequences of periodontal disease since they can readily come to our clinic for treatment. No matter how serious the disorder is, we can always develop a treatment plan that will restore the gum health of a patient. One of the dental procedures we often use to address periodontal disease is known as scaling and root planing, which is a special cleaning process aimed to effectively remove plaque and tartar deposits on the surface of the tooth. This procedure helps in the faster healing and shrinking of the gum tissue and periodontal pockets, respectively. After conducting this procedure, we may place some type of medication directly into the periodontal pocket to support the healing process.
Treatment does not stop after the cleaning process since we need to monitor the results of the scaling and root planing. If we observe that the procedure suffices, we may simply advise the patient to strictly follow certain preventive oral care habits. However, if in case the periodontal pockets are deep or if they are not healing properly, we may schedule a surgery to address the problem. This way, we can access hard to reach areas where tartar and plaque have accumulated such as under the gums and along the root area. Essentially, our treatment goal during surgery is to eliminate bacteria, promote regeneration of tissue and bone, and repair the damage caused by periodontal disease.
Contact us at Aurora Dental Care for a free consultation about our services and thorough discussion of periodontal disease and what you can do to address them at 907-376-8400.
|
