Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums surrounding your teeth. Gum disease is one of the main reasons for tooth loss in adults. Gum disease is virtually pain-free and therefore many patients do not know they have the disease. The disease is devastating because the bacterial infection destroys the gum tissue and underlying bone that holds the teeth. When the foundation is destroyed, the teeth become mobile and fall out. At each regular checkup, Dr. Nugent and his hygienists will check for signs of periodontal disease by measuring the pockets between your teeth and gums.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria clump together to form a white sticky substance called plaque. If the plaque is not removed (by flossing, brushing, and regular dental checkups), it will continue to build up and mineralize to form calculus (tartar). One the bacteria have created calculus only your dental office can get it off the teeth. The bacteria excrete toxins that destroy the gum tissue and bone. As more gum tissue is destroyed and pulls away from the teeth, a larger pocket if created. This larger pocket allows more bacteria to accumulate and creates more tissue destruction.
Gingivitis — This is the first stage of gum disease. The gums become red and swollen, and bleed easily. Early recognition of the disease is treatable and can usually be eliminated by better and more frequent daily brushing and flossing. An electric toothbrush is highly recommended.
Periodontal Disease — If left untreated, gingivitis will advance into periodontal disease. The gum tissue and bone that support the teeth will become irreversibly damaged. As the teeth lose their foundation, they become loose, fall out, or be removed by a Dr. Nugent.
Factors can increase the risk of developing periodontal disease, including:
- Lack of proper home dental care
- Lack of professional dental cleanings
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Chewing tobacco
- Bridges that no longer fit properly
- Crooked teeth
- Pregnancy
Almost always, gum disease is painless. However, here are some warning signs:
- Red, tender, swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Gums that are pulling away from the teeth
- Teeth appear to be getting longer
- Teeth that are loose or separating
- Constant bad breath or bad taste
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
How To Treat Gum Disease:
Scaling and root planing is a procedure that the Hygienist performs to get the bacteria off the teeth and out of the gum tissue. It is also called a “deep cleaning” because the cleaning goes underneath the tissue to remove calculus, tartar and bacteria.
Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth that are lost to periodontal disease.
Preventing Gum Disease:
Regular dental checkups in our Pasadena, Texas dental office are vital to your dental health. Yearly periodontal examinations are significant in maintaining your health and the health of your smile. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Everything starts at home with good brushing and flossing. Eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits to help keep your smile healthy. Visit us at 3421 Burke Rd STE A, Pasadena, Texas 77504.
Chronic Gingivitis
Gingivitis, the initial stage of gum disease, is the mildest manifestation of the disease. Patients frequently recognize the symptoms of gingivitis when they floss or brush their teeth, which causes their inflamed, sensitive gums to hemorrhage.
Chronic Periodontitis
Gum disease can cause permanent injury to the gums, jawbone, and teeth if left untreated. In this stage, tartar and plaque are responsible for the recession of periodontal tissue and bone. This creates deep pockets between the teeth and gums in which microorganisms thrive. Eventually, this bacterium reduces the support structure of the teeth, causing them to loosen and, in severe cases, fall out.
How do you treat Periodontal Disease?
Root Planing
Root debridement is a specialized procedure that eliminates cementum and surface dentin that is embedded with harmful toxins and tartar. To promote healing, your hygienist will literally smooth the surface of your tooth. By maintaining a uniform root, you can prevent future bacterial colonization.
Scaling
Scaling the periodontium is typically performed with specialized dental instruments, including ultrasonic scaling instruments. This instrument removes calculus and plaque from the crown and root surfaces. In certain instances, the scaling instrument may include an irrigation procedure that administers an antimicrobial agent below the gums to reduce oral bacteria.
You may believe that consistent visits to the dentist every six months will prevent periodontal disease, but this is not always true. There is a distinction between routine cleaning and deep cleansing to prevent periodontal disease from spreading.
Understanding the Difference Between a Regular Dental Cleaning and a Deep Cleaning
Maintaining a healthy smile requires regular dental cleanings, but not all cleanings are the same. Many patients are familiar with a routine cleaning, also known as prophylaxis (prophy), but may not fully understand how it differs from a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing. Both cleanings play important roles in oral health, but they serve different purposes depending on the condition of your gums and teeth. Understanding the difference can help you better care for your smile and know when each type of cleaning is needed.
Regular Dental Cleaning (Prophy)
A regular dental cleaning, or prophy, is a preventive procedure designed for patients with generally healthy gums who do not have gum disease. It is recommended every six months to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. During a routine cleaning, the hygienist focuses on removing plaque, tartar, and stains from the surfaces of the teeth above the gum line. The steps typically include:
- Scaling: The removal of plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces.
- Polishing: Using a special paste to smooth and shine the teeth, making it harder for plaque to adhere.
- Fluoride Treatment: In some cases, fluoride may be applied to strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay.
Routine cleanings are essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing gum disease. However, they are not sufficient for patients who already have periodontal disease, as they only clean above the gum line and do not address problems deeper in the gums.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
A deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a more intensive procedure designed to treat patients with gum disease, specifically periodontitis. When plaque and tartar build up below the gum line, it causes inflammation and infection in the gums. If left untreated, this can lead to bone and tissue loss, eventually causing teeth to become loose and fall out.
Unlike a regular cleaning, a deep cleaning goes beneath the gum line to remove bacteria and tartar from the roots of the teeth. Here’s what to expect during a deep cleaning:
- Scaling: The hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces below the gum line and in the pockets that have formed between the gums and teeth.
- Root Planing: The roots of the teeth are smoothed to remove rough areas where bacteria can accumulate, allowing the gums to reattach more easily to the teeth and promoting healing.
- Multiple Visits: Deep cleanings are often completed in multiple visits, depending on the extent of the gum disease and how much of the mouth needs treatment.
Scaling and root planing is crucial for stopping the progression of gum disease, reducing inflammation, and preventing further damage to the teeth and supporting structures.
Which Cleaning Do You Need?
If your gums are healthy and you’re keeping up with regular dental visits, a routine cleaning every six months is typically sufficient. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, a deep cleaning may be necessary to prevent the disease from worsening and to save your teeth.
At Michael Nugent DDS, we focus on personalized care, ensuring that every patient receives the cleaning that is right for their specific oral health needs. If you are unsure whether you need a regular cleaning or a deep cleaning, schedule an appointment with us, and we will assess the health of your gums and provide the appropriate treatment to protect your smile.
