Periodontal Disease-What, Why, and How to Successfully Treat
What is Plaque?
Plaque is formed by colonizing bacteria building highways, cities, shopping malls and football stadiums on the smooth surfaces of our teeth. This plaque begins to form a cement bond to our tooth if left untouched for 24 hours. This cement bond is called Tartar or Calculus. It usually appears yellow to off-white in appearance on the teeth. Only a professional hygiene visit will be able to remove the plaque once it has formed a cement bond.
What can I do to prevent Plaque buildup?
We recommend patients having Professional Hygiene Appointment with Chattanooga Family Dentistry every 6 months. Between Professional Hygiene Appointments patients need to thoroughly clean their mouth daily including brushing all surfaces of teeth and flossing.
Why do I need to Floss?
Flossing used properly helps to remove the plaque that builds up between the teeth and below the gumline. Flossing every day stimulates the gums and help remove the food particles between the teeth. Flossing every day helps prevent any harmful bacteria from entering the blood stream and preventing future heart problems.
How does Periodontal Disease start?
All of the factors that we have mentioned already help to cause a cascading effect. We know plaque turns into Tartar or Calculus if left for 24 hours. The calculus is made up of colonies of microorganisms that eat left over food particles. The bacteria begin to excrete a waste product of concentrated acid. This acid can do two things:
Eat into the smooth surface of the tooth causing tooth decay
Eat and destroy the bone support around the teeth causing advancement of periodontal disease
If the buildup of plaque, tartar and calculus continues to build, then the environment for developing periodontal or gum disease continues. Once the supporting bone is destroyed then it does not grow back. Teeth can begin to develop mobility, pain, and bleeding while the patient can develop bad breath and eventual tooth loss.
What kind of Therapy can Chattanooga Family Dentistry use to stop Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal Disease can be stopped by numbing the patient and our hygienist cleaning deep below the gumline where a patient is unable to reach with their toothbrush or floss. This process will help remove all the tartar and calculus buildups that have attached themselves to the root surfaces of the teeth. After completing the deep cleaning, we will use our Dental Diode Laser to help eliminate any bacteria colonies that are still present. The Dental Laser gives us the best way to help clean and sterilize the gums for the best health. After a few short weeks, the gums will begin to lay back down over the bone and surround the tooth. By continuing Professional Hygiene Appointments with Chattanooga Family Dentistry, every 3 to 6 months intervals, will help prevent periodontal disease from coming back and help to keep your body & heart healthy.
For more information about how to save your teeth by reversing any gum disease then feel free you can call Chattanooga Family Dentistry today for your new patient evaluation at 423.553.8858. Dr. Andrew Lunn performs high quality Cosmetic, Implant, Sedation and General Dentistry at 1606 Gunbarrel Road in Chattanooga, TN.
