| Why can't I just clean my teeth?Gum disease | | | | regenerating) bone and gum tissue that have |
| is a serious infection. Evidence now links | | | | been lost because of gum disease.A |
| gum disease to a variety of health concerns | | | | periodontist also treats serious forms of gum |
| including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, | | | | disease that do not get better with normal |
| and other degenerative diseases that are life | | | | dental care. When serious gum disease is |
| threatening. It's not just about your teeth | | | | found, brushing and flossing become even more |
| anymore! | | | | important.What is Root Planing?Normal tooth |
| | | | cleanings remove plaque and calculus deposits |
| Gum disease can be a disfiguring disease. | | | | from above the gum line. Root planing is |
| Your gums swell in size and become red. They | | | | necessary when these deposits extend below |
| may bleed very readily. Your teeth may shift | | | | the gum line.Root planing is performed with |
| and spaces between your teeth may start | | | | the same tools as normal cleanings but the |
| showing. The teeth then become loose and may | | | | procedure is more aggressive. Often it is |
| need to be removed.Early detection as with | | | | necessary to numb the affected area before |
| other diseases is the key to successful | | | | the procedure. Once the accumulated plaque |
| treatment. Your dentist or hygienist should | | | | and calculus have been removed, the gums will |
| routinely perform a gum (periodontal) disease | | | | heal, tightening around the teeth.Depending |
| screening exam once a year. The results of | | | | upon the extent of disease found in the |
| this examination will determine your | | | | examination, root planing may be done over |
| periodontal status. If you have gum disease, | | | | several practice visits. In this way, your |
| your treatment will be personalized for you | | | | dentist can assess the progress of treatment |
| and your level of infection. A routine | | | | and alter tactics if necessary.Simply stated, |
| cleaning is not enough by itself to treat gum | | | | root planing may be considered as an |
| disease.How can I prevent gum | | | | extension of a "routine cleaning". A "routine |
| disease?Prevention is the most important | | | | cleaning" is intended to clean harden |
| factor in the fight against gum disease. It | | | | deposits that form above the gums. Over time, |
| is essential to keep your teeth and gums | | | | these deposits often form below the gums, on |
| clean. Brush your teeth properly at least | | | | the roots. It is at this point that we |
| twice a day and floss at least once every 24 | | | | recommend root planing. |
| hours.Routine and regular visits to your | | | | |
| dentist are the best way of catching gum | | | | What does it accomplish?During this |
| disease in its early stages before too much | | | | procedure the root surfaces are literally |
| damage has been caused. Gum disease will not | | | | planed.This accomplishes several things:* |
| go away by itself or with improved home care. | | | | removes hard deposits and the bacteria they |
| The only way of removing plaque deep under | | | | harbor* creates a smooth root surface that is |
| the gums is with professional cleanings. Once | | | | easier to keep clean* reduces infection |
| you have had a gum problem you will always be | | | | because the bacteria will not reattach to the |
| susceptible to recurring problems, so be sure | | | | smooth surface as readilyHow quickly will I |
| to see your dentist on a regular basis - | | | | heal?Periodontal therapy represents a |
| every three to four months unless he or she | | | | partnership between you and your periodontal |
| recommends otherwise.How can I tell if I'm | | | | team. If we each do our part, you will |
| brushing and flossing properly?Brushing - | | | | achieve the maximum benefit from this |
| Brush your teeth gently, paying special | | | | procedure. Your results will be affected by:* |
| attention to the areas where your teeth and | | | | how effective you perform your home care* |
| gums meet. Clean every surface of every | | | | diet* smoking* stressIt is unrealistic to |
| tooth. Use the tip of your brush to clean | | | | consider your therapy as a quick fix. Each |
| behind your upper and lower front | | | | person will respond differently to treatment. |
| teeth.Flossing - Take a piece of floss and | | | | Future treatment recommendations will be made |
| wrap it around your middle fingers. Using a | | | | on the basis of your healing. For healing to |
| clean section of floss each time, wrap the | | | | be maximized it is imperative that you |
| floss into a C shape around a tooth. Wipe it | | | | participate in your home care everyday.What |
| over the tooth, from base to tip, a couple of | | | | is a frenectomy?A frenectomy is the surgical |
| times. Repeat on each tooth.What if I am | | | | removal of a frenum in the mouth. A frenum is |
| already in the early stages of gum disease?If | | | | a fold of tissue that passes from the movable |
| you have gum disease, getting rid of plaque | | | | lip or cheek to the gum. When a frenum is |
| and tartar gives your gums a chance to get | | | | positioned in such a way as to interfere with |
| better. That's why in the early stages of gum | | | | the normal alignment of teeth or results in |
| disease, the best treatment is:* cleaning by | | | | pulling away of the gum from the tooth |
| your dentist or dental hygienist to remove | | | | surface causing recession, these are often |
| built-up tartar* brushing twice a day to | | | | removed using a surgical process known as a |
| remove plaque and* flossing once a day to | | | | frenectomy.By Dion KramerDion Kramer is |
| remove plaque.When gum disease is more | | | | co-founder and managing director of |
| serious, your dentist may refer you to a | | | | NobleDentist. NobleDentist is a dental plan |
| dental specialist called a periodontist. A | | | | for the people of Australia. Dion Kramer |
| periodontist has extra training in treating | | | | collaborates with a NobleDentist so that his |
| gum disease and in restoring (or | | | | writings are topical and up-to-date. |