At Vaani Dental, our Preventive Perio Services are designed to maintain healthy gums and prevent periodontal disease through comprehensive care and early intervention. Our expert team provides thorough periodontal evaluations, professional cleanings, and personalized oral hygiene instructions to help you maintain optimal gum health. We utilize advanced techniques to detect early signs of gum disease and offer treatments such as scaling and root planing to address issues before they progress. By prioritizing preventive care, we aim to protect your overall oral health and ensure a healthy, confident smile for years to come.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is primarily caused by the buildup of plaque—a sticky, colorless film of bacteria—on the teeth and gums. If not removed through regular brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional. The main factors contributing to gum disease include:
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing allow plaque and tartar to accumulate, leading to gum inflammation.
- Smoking and Tobacco Use: Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of gum disease by impairing blood flow to the gums and hindering healing.
- Genetics: Some individuals are genetically predisposed to gum disease, even with good oral hygiene practices.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, such as those during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and menstruation, can make gums more sensitive and susceptible to disease.
- Medical Conditions: Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and immune disorders can increase the risk of developing gum disease.
- Medications: Certain medications can affect oral health by reducing saliva flow, leading to dry mouth and gum disease.
- Poor Nutrition: A diet lacking in essential nutrients can compromise the immune system and affect the body’s ability to fight off infections, including those affecting the gums.
- Stress: Stress can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to combat infections and increasing the risk of gum disease.
- Clenching or Grinding Teeth: Excessive force on the supporting tissues of the teeth can speed up the rate at which these tissues are destroyed, leading to gum disease.
Addressing these factors through good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and managing underlying health conditions can help prevent gum disease.
Treatment
Gum disease treatment depends on the stage and severity of the condition. Here are the common treatment options:
- Professional Dental Cleaning:
- Procedure: Removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gum line through scaling and root canal planing.
- Purpose: Helps eliminate bacteria and smooth the tooth roots to prevent future buildup.
- Scaling and Root Planing:
- Procedure: A deep-cleaning, non-surgical procedure done under local anesthesia, involving the removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line (scaling) and smoothing rough spots on the tooth roots (root planing).
- Purpose: Reduces inflammation and promotes gum reattachment to teeth.
- Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Treatments:
- Procedure: Application of antibiotic gels, mouth rinses, or oral medications to eliminate bacteria.
- Purpose: Helps reduce or temporarily eliminate bacteria and inflammation.
- Surgical Treatments:
- Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery): Lifting the gums to remove tartar and sewing them back in place to reduce pocket depth and make cleaning easier.
- Bone and Tissue Grafts: Using synthetic or natural bone to replace bone destroyed by gum disease, or grafting soft tissue to reinforce thin gums or fill in areas where gums have receded.
- Guided Tissue Regeneration: Inserting a mesh-like material between bone and gum tissue to allow bone and connective tissue to regrow.
- Bone Surgery: Smoothing shallow craters in the bone due to moderate to advanced bone loss.
- Laser Therapy:
- Procedure: Use of laser to remove inflamed gum tissue and tartar.
- Purpose: Reduces pocket depth and promotes gum reattachment with minimal discomfort and bleeding.
- Maintenance Therapy:
- Procedure: Regular follow-up visits for professional cleanings and monitoring.
- Purpose: Prevents recurrence of gum disease and maintains oral health.
Effective gum disease treatment involves a combination of professional care and good oral hygiene practices at home, including regular brushing, flossing, and using antimicrobial mouth rinses. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent further damage and maintain healthy gums.
