Periodontics gum disease

Periodontics

Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of the gums. It is caused by a build up of plaque above and underneath the gums caused by poor oral hygiene. We perform a perio check for all patients yearly. As the initial gingivitis gets worse, gum pockets are formed and the gums may start receding from the teeth. As a result of the gums and bone recede the teeth can become loose and all out or require extraction.

Gum Recession

Did you know that there are 80 year olds with no gum recession?

How can you potentially be one of those people? Tooth brushing; with soft/small headed/rounded bristle toothbrush; should be done in great detail brushing in circles angulated towards the gums at 45 degrees every tooth on the cheek and tongue side and back and forth on the biting surface. Flossing is needed between every tooth contact ( only bother to do the teeth that you wish to keep).  We will teach you how to use the waterpiks, inter-proximal brushes and irrigation in any tooth furcations. Hard calculus/tartar contains bacteria that release acids that cause the gum loss and must be removed regularly by the dentist. The regularity depends on the susceptibility of the individual to calculus collection and the amount of gum pocketing.

A non surgical Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser procedure for periodontal disease has resulted in decrease in pocket depth and return to health for the gums when backed by good oral hygiene. This procedure is relatively painless and non invasive. The Er:YAG fine tip reaches areas that cannot be reached with instrumentation and the photo acoustic streaming reaches other unreachable areas. The Nd:YAG disinfects and seals the area with a clot formation.