Diaries of a Dentist

Periodontal Disease. Catch It Early!

Periodontal disease (also called gum disease, gingivitis, periodontitis, pyorrhea”):

 Is the most common disease in all adults in the world. It is caused by infection of the gums and bone around the necks of the teeth from deposits of bacteria, plaque, and calculus (tartar) left in these areas. Periodontal disease can be made much worse by clenching and gnashing of the teeth, usually during sleep, and by smoking. 
 

 

The good news is that periodontal disease doesn’t hurt. The bad news is that periodontal disease doesn’t hurt. Because the symptoms of periodontal disease are subtle (bleeding, redness, bone loss on probing and x-ray), most people don’t know they have it. Yet, the majority of teeth extracted in adults is from periodontal disease. The treatment of periodontal disease is usually easy, beginning with non-surgical removing of the deposits from the teeth roots below the gums. You feel nothing because the teeth and gums are anesthetized first. 

Some cases then need gum surgery. Caught early periodontal disease can be nipped in the bud. Left to grow, periodontal disease can cause tooth and bone loss, and can become expensive. With a simple periodontal exam by a dentist or hygienist your gum condition can be quickly evaluated, and treatment can be started early.

How to Floss Your Teeth-Preventing Tooth Decay.

Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria, dissolved food particles, and acid waste from the bacteria found in the biting crevices of teeth, in the gum pockets around teeth, and between teeth.  Only by keeping plaque out of the mouth can you prevent tooth decay (“cavities”) and gum disease (“pyorrhea”). You can remove plaque from the crevices and gum pockets by rotational tooth brushing 2-3 times per day. The only way to successfully remove plaque from between the teeth is by running string between the teeth, that is by flossing daily.

Holding and using floss correctly is not easy, but is very learnable. Here are the simple steps:

Step 1: Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind some of it around your middle finger (3 turns). This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Shorten the length between the two fingers to 6 inches and wind some floss (1 turn) around the opposite middle finger. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers.

Step 2: Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth as you gently rub the side of the tooth with an up and down motion. Before retrieving it, clean the adjacent tooth surface.

Step 3: As you finish cleaning each contact, wind the dirty floss once around the first middle finger and slide more new length of floss to proceed to the next contact.