This department specializes in the care and prevention of gum related diseases. In common terms the department for the deep cleaning of teeth and gums
This may surprise you, but periodontal disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss. Researchers have also found overwhelming evidence that it increases your risk for:
Heart disease
Stroke
Diabetes
Alzheimer’s
Some cancers
Pregnancy complications
Some of the most common causes of periodontal disease are under your control, including poor oral hygiene, uncontrolled diabetes and heart disease, and smoking. Other causes are out of your control such as age and heredity.
The symptoms of gingivitis include red, puffy, tender or bleeding gums. The symptoms for more advanced periodontitis include the same symptoms, but more severe. In addition, people may notice loose teeth, chronic bad breath, and pus under the gumline.
The best ways to prevent or manage periodontal disease are to see a dentist for regular checkups and practice good oral hygiene at home. Here are some great hygiene tips you can start using today:
Aim for better, not perfect – Especially when it comes to flossing, many people throw in the towel completely if they miss a day or two. But even flossing just 4-5 times a week (consistently) is much better than not at all! Use the right tools – An electric toothbrush is practically guaranteed to do a far better job keeping your teeth and gums clean. Also, some people do a lot better with floss picks, interdental brushes or an oral irrigator. Use a mouthwash – For gum-related problems, an antiseptic mouthwash is a great addition to good brushing and flossing. It’s a good way to kill bacteria in hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
Typically, a procedure called scaling and root planing is the first recommendation for periodontal disease. Also called a “deep cleaning,” it thoroughly removes the plaque and tartar from under the gumline that can’t be removed in the course of a normal cleaning. It’s usually done in 2-4 visits and includes being numbed beforehand for comfort. Also, a topical antibiotic can be placed under the gums where it will directly kill the bacteria that cause this disease. For more advanced cases, there are also surgical options that can effectively treat the gums.
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