Tartar removal and good oral hygiene are very important in the treatment of periodontitis. Before the actual treatment is started, dentists often recommend combining
Regular cleanings, usually recommended once or twice per year, help prevent extensive oral health problems from developing, namely periodontal disease.
Those who do not follow proper dental care are especially prone to periodontal disease or gum disease. In the early stages, gum disease can be successfully reversed with professional deep cleaning treatments.
If you suffer from recurring gum disease, excessive tooth decay, or other oral health issues, we may recommend visiting us every 3 months. If you usually have healthy teeth and gums, we will likely only recommend the typical schedule of cleanings every 6 months to help them stay that way.
Follow-up patients who have received active periodontal therapy are appropriately reported using the periodontal maintenance code.” The actual ADA code book reads, periodontal maintenance will be completed following active periodontal therapy “for the life of the dentition.” It is safe to assume once a periodontal ...
There is no known cure for Periodontal disease. By scheduling periodontal maintenance appointments, practicing good dental health habits like brushing twice a day, and avoiding health risks like tobacco, you can prevent the disease from getting worse. You will also protect the teeth and gums from further infection.
Since periodontitis can do long-term damage to your gums, teeth, and jaw, the healing process for severe cases may take several months and may involve additional treatments like gum grafts.
Four stages of periodontal disease
Gingivitis: This is the only stage of the disease that is reversible as it hasn't attacked the bones yet. This is a result of plaque buildup around the teeth. Bleeding gums is one of the first symptoms you may experience.
On average, it takes about 5 – 7 days for your gums to heal after deep cleaning. During this period, it's possible to experience minor gum soreness, swelling, and tooth sensitivity.
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or putting gel containing an antibiotic into gum pockets. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to get of bacteria that cause infections.
With gum disease, you won't keep your teeth for long. In fact, unlike tooth decay which impacts your smile one tooth at a time, periodontitis can cause you to lose multiple, if not all, teeth at once. Gum disease starts small as a mild form called gingivitis.
Gum disease treatment may be nonsurgical or surgical, depending on the stage of disease and your oral and overall health. Nonsurgical treatments include scaling and root planing and antibiotics. Surgical options include pocket reduction surgery and guided tissue regeneration.
Scaling and root planing helps the pockets to shrink and gum tissue to heal. Medications may also be recommended to help control pain, infection, or to assist in healing. At the next appointment, the dentist will measure the depth of the pockets to determine the effect of the procedure.
If you have mild gingivitis, it can take weeks or even months for it to turn into periodontitis. However, if you have severe gingivitis, it can progress into periodontitis in as little as a few days. This is why it is so important to see a dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms of gingivitis.
Typically, you will need to get periodontal cleanings every 3 months for the rest of your life to keep your gum disease under control, and as long as you get routine cleanings and maintain good oral hygiene, your condition won't get worse. However, you will never be fully healed.
Once it starts, you will always have it. All levels of periodontitis require treatment by a dentist. A mild case can typically be managed by a general dentist using non-surgical treatments. Moderate to severe cases require management by a periodontist and typically require surgery to save as many teeth as possible.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
Take Care of Your Oral Hygiene, Protect Your Health
But you can prevent the disease from progressing to later stages by upping your oral care and seeking early treatment. However, even if the condition outpaces you, you can reverse it through the various treatments we have mentioned.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
If you wonder if you can live with this disease, the answer is yes. In general, periodontal disease does not cause pain, which is one of the reasons it develops into a severe condition.
While a periodontal cleaning, sometimes called periodontal maintenance care or deep cleaning, also removes tartar, plaque, and other debris, it is a much deeper cleaning. A dentist goes below the gum line to remove any buildup, so that a patient's gum disease does not become problematic.
Some sensitivity after the process is expected. You might experience swelling in the gums and minor bleeding. After receiving a deep cleaning, you must exist on soft foods to help reduce sensitivity. You must also avoid scorching and freezing foods and drinks.