Healthy Gums – What Do They Look Like?

The easy answer is that healthy gums are pink and firm. To keep your gums healthy, brushing twice a day and flossing daily are the keys. “Healthy gums are easy to spot, so are unhealthy ones,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside Periodontal Practice.

Look for the following:

·      Redness

·      Swelling

·      Tenderness

·      Recession of the gum tissue

·      Bleeding after brushing or flossing

·      Loose or shifting teeth

·      Bad breath

·      A bad taste in the mouth

·      A bite that has changed

“When your gums are infected you will see one or all of the above signs,” adds Dr.Rice. “And that means it’s time to see your dentist. Unhealthy gum tissue treated in the early stages of disease is easily corrected before too much damage is done.” Untreated, though, gum disease can lead to bone loss, tooth loss and may contribute to other systemic diseases such as diabetes, respiratory problems and low birth weight babies.

“Your mouth is the window to your overall health, don’t ignore the signs,” Dr. Rice says.

Why should you visit your dentist regularly?

Is it really that important for me to see my dentist more than twice a year? The answer may be a resounding “yes.” “The ‘see your dentist twice a year’ campaign was created in the 1929 as a radio advertisement for Pepsodent Toothpaste,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside Periodontal Surgery and Implant Practice. While that is a good start, it may not be often enough and this is one of the times you really want to listen to your dentist’s recommendation.

Dentists make recommendations for returning based upon a number of factors:

1.     Ortho: When patients have braces their teeth become more difficult for them to keep clean. This can lead to unsightly staining once the braces are removed. More frequent visits = a better outcome.

2.     Decay Activity: For some, dental decay may play a role in why more frequent visits are recommended. “Generally the young and the older populations are more susceptible to decay,” Dr. Rice says. Young people may have more challenges with getting their entire mouth clean and older adults many times become more decay active due to the effects of recession. 

3.     Periodontal Concerns: The numbers vary but there is no doubt that a significant portion of the adult population has periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is most frequently known for causing bone loss which leads to tooth loss and finally to a deterioration of the level of nutrition one may be able to get.

When your dentist or Periodontist makes the recommendation to be seen more frequently, by all means ask why. Then, informed, be sure to keep the recommended schedule.   

Does Root Planing and Scaling or Deep Cleaning Really Help?

Root Planing and Scaling is the process where your periodontist or dentist will numb the affected area of the mouth and use specialized instruments and lasers to remove harmful bacteria from your mouth. Many professionals refer to this as a deep cleaning, but keep in mind, this is very different from your regular visits to your dentist.

“Non-surgical therapy, or root planing is one of the most effective methods to treat gum disease in the early stages,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Periodontal and Implant Practice. “This is the first step in working to maintain your disease.” To determine if you are a candidate for root planing, your dentist or hygienist will measure the pockets surrounding your teeth. “Measurements of 1-3 mm, signifies healthy areas, but when the measurements exceed 4 mm, it is a sign the tissue surrounding your teeth is pulling away and it may be time to see your Periodontist for non-surgical treatment.”

During the procedure, your Periodontist, dentist or hygienist will scale the teeth down to the roots, removing tartar and bacteria that is hiding below the gum tissue. Because anesthetic is used, you should be very comfortable during the procedure. How well the procedure works is dependent upon a number of factors, one is your genes or family history, another is how well you take care of your teeth at home and the still another is how well you keep the recommended frequency of appointments with your dentist.

To learn more about what to expect from non-surgical treatment go to Dr. Denine Rice

Why do I need Bone Grafting?

Bone Grafting is the replacement of bone into the site where an extraction has occurred. “Not everyone who has an extraction will be advised that bone grafting is necessary,” says Dr. Denine Rice. “It has little value if the tooth that is lost is a wisdom tooth, but if the extracted tooth was located in the front of the mouth, or was lost due to periodontal infection or trauma it might just be in your best interest to consider having it done.”

Bone grafting can be done with either harvested, natural bone or using a synthetic bone substitute. “Over time bone recedes, in order to maintain a healthy level of bone for tooth replacement, it is generally recommended a bone graft occur as quickly as possible after the extraction,” adds Dr. Rice, from Riverside Periodontics. 

While most people think of bone grafting and implant surgery together, even if you haven’t decided on an eventual restoration, you may want the bone level to stay stable. This can really be critical especially when the lost tooth is due to trauma and there is significant damage or if the area of concern is in the front of the mouth as cosmetics may be compromised long term.  And having a smile that radiates health is just one more way you can feel more confident out in the world. 

Why Did My Dentist Recommend Tissue Grafting?

Tissue grafting is the process where gum tissue is removed from an area of the mouth and placed in a position in need of additional help. “Generally your dentist will recommend tissue grafting when either the gum tissue around a tooth has been lost due to recession or if the area could be cosmetically enhanced.,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside Implant and Periodontal Practice.

Gum recession often happens over time and so slowly you may not have noticed, but your dentist will. And if the recession reaches a certain point, you may begin to have sensitivity as the root of the tooth may become exposed or even find that your recession could lead to tooth loss.

The answer is to place new tissue, either removed from the roof of your mouth or the area adjacent to the tooth needing to be repaired. This allows your periodontist to repair the area and at the same time improve the appearance of your smile. 

Has Periodontal Therapy Changed?

While dentists treat mouths and medical practitioners, the body, the knowledge that both are interrelated has become a focus in periodontal treatment. “We now know that many systemic diseases are related to periodontal infections and so we are more aggressive about diagnosing and treating the disease early, not just to save teeth, but to also improve health,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside California Periodontal Practice. “Every day patients inform me they feel more vigor and well after their periodontal disease is treated. And it makes sense. Periodontal disease is an infection and we know that infections can have serious consequences.”

Another major change in Periodontal Therapy is the new ways we have to treat the infection, such as through the use of Lasers. “LANAP Laser Therapy allows your periodontist to treat your disease without cutting or suturing. The best news it is FDA approved. In fact, it is the only FDA approved laser technique,” adds Dr. Rice. Dr. Rice has found patients are very happy with the treatment and more importantly the outcome.

To learn more, visit LANAP  or our website.http://www.riceperiodontics.com/our-practice/meet-dr-rice/

Laser Periodontal Therapy

How the LANAP Protocol Works.

 

The first step in providing a patient with the laser surgical procedure LANAP is to make the patient comfortable. The procedure is done using a local anesthetic to numb the affected areas. Once the patient is ready, pocket depths will be determined. Then a thin optic fiber is placed inside the pockets to be treated. This step is called laser troughing and is accomplished using a short-duration pulse. This light energy selectively destroys pathogens and provides a disinfected environment for the next phase. 

Next the periodontist will remove diseased and infected tissue, while at the same time preserving healthy connective tissue. The LANAP protocol has been highly successful in treating moderate to severe gum disease.

Once the laser has removed the tissue, an ultrasonic scaler is utilized to remove calcified plaque and calculus that has adhered to the root surface of the teeth in the affected area. Once this step is completed, the laser will once again be inserted and finish the task of debriding the pocket. Next the pocket is compressed to close and stabilize the tissue against the tooth.

This procedure utilizes no sutures. Mobile teeth may be splinted. Then adjustments are made to the bite to remove interferences.

That’s it!

Read about what to expect post-operatively

Are you delaying periodontal treatment? Call today and learn about the newest in periodontal therapy.