Suffering from Periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease refers to disease of the supporting tissues, i.e. the gums and bone, surrounding each tooth. A Periodontist is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The most common periodontal conditions are gingivitis and periodontitis, both of which are caused by dental plaque and tartar. Dental plaque is the sticky, colourless film that constantly forms on your teeth and contains bacteria which normally inhabit the mouth. Tartar is hardened plaque which is more difficult to remove with simple brushing alone.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. It is common but is readily treatable with good oral hygiene.

Periodontist Balwyn

Periodontitis affects approximately 10-15% of the population and is inflammation which extends to form a pocket between the tooth and the infected gums. Periodontitis can manifest itself by swollen and reddened or bleeding gums even on light contact, oversensitive teeth or bad breath.

Without treatment the periodontal disease gets progressively worse and the bone attaching the teeth in the jaw is lost.  As a result the teeth become loose and drift slightly from their original position. If left untreated this condition can result in your teeth eventually falling out. The gums may also recede down the roots of the tooth leading to increased sensitivity.

Several major factors are known to contribute to the increased risk of periodontal disease. These include family history, certain types of bacterial dental plaque, diabetes, stress and smoking. Stopping smoking is an important component in reducing the risk of developing periodontal disease and improving the response to treatment.

Periodontist Deepdene

There is mounting scientific evidence linking periodontitis to diabetes, heart disease and a host of other systemic diseases. It is therefore important not only for your oral health but also your general health, to have treatment for any gum disease present.

Periodontist Mont Albert           

Diagnosis

When attending your dentist in Balwyn for a check up, the dentist will normally:-

• examine your teeth, gums and mouth;
• enquire about any problems or symptoms you may have had since your last visit;
• provide advice about oral hygiene, and smoking and alcohol use.

Your dentist in Kew should also carry out a Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) which is an assessment of the periodontal tissues. This mean that they will be giving a quick overview of the health of your gums. The dentist will carry out the examination by probing your gums and you may recognise that they will give a numerical score 0-4 for each the difference sections of your mouth.

Periodontist Surrey Hills

The symptoms of periodontal disease, which your dentist in Hawthorn should raise concerns about, include:

• red and swollen gums that may be highly painful and bleed when cleaning;
• bad breath that won’t go away – this is because periodontal disease causes ‘pockets’ in the teeth and gums which trap food and bacteria, which can then omit an odour;
• painful abscesses that discharge pus, which is released when your gums try and fight the bacterial infection;
• receding gums and sensitivity – which is a sign that the supporting tissues around your teeth are damaged;
• loose teeth.

Periodontist Camberwell

If you are concerned that you may be suffering from periodontal disease, you should speak to your dentist in Camberwell about this. If, upon speaking to them, you are still concerned that they are failing to diagnose the disease, you should seek a second opinion as soon as possible.

In addition, you should ensure that you adopt good oral hygiene practices. Regular brushing, as well as use of dental floss or interdental brushes will help to maintain a healthy mouth. Your dentist in Camberwell will be able to provide you with oral hygiene advice and show you how to use interdental brushes.

Periodontist Hawthorn

Treatments offered include:

• Surgical and non-surgical treatment of gum and bone disease
• Periodontal bone regeneration
• Crown lengthening for cosmetic dentistry
• Periodontal plastic surgery for root coverage

If the periodontitis is not too advanced, treatment essentially consists of removal of the bacterial plaque and tartar which has spread down the root of the tooth below the gums.

The initial consultation includes a careful examination of your gums and teeth, oral cancer screen and comprehensive radiographs(x-ray). A detailed treatment plan will be formulated specifically for you.

Periodontist Kew

The first stage of treatment involves teaching the patient techniques to improve their dental hygiene. The second stage would be to stabilise the disease by professional cleaning of teeth both above and below the gum to remove the plaque  and tartar from poorly accessible areas.

In the majority of cases simple conservative (non-surgical) therapy stabilises the periodontal disease. In more advanced cases periodontal surgery may be required to deal with deep-seated areas of inflammation and in some cases we may be able to regenerate some of the bone that has been lost.

If you have already lost a tooth or teeth to periodontal disease, you may be want to consider dental implants as a permanent tooth replacement option.

Maintenance

It is essential that the improvements achieved are maintained. We strongly advise our patients to visit their dentist and dental hygienist at regular intervals, generally 3-4 months. The most important factor in maintaining excellent gum health is effective daily plaque removal.

The Key To Success

• You play an important role in the success of the treatment
• Meticulous plaque control is essential to maintain stability
• A maintenance programme which will include collaboration between your dentist, hygienist and your specialist.

Our clinic is conveniently located close to Kew, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Deepdene and Camberwell. Please feel free to contact our caring dentists on 03) 9817 7144 for any of your dental needs.