Dental Cleaning — Preventing Periodontal Disease

Chicago Smile Makeover Spring is here! For many that means it's a time of cleaning out the old and freshening up new. We air our homes out with fresh spring breezes, clean out the dust that has settled inside, and freshen up with new spring colors. Now is also the perfect time to make sure you are up-to-date on another type of cleaning - your teeth that is!

For many, they are like clockwork and schedule regularly and religiously every 3-6 months. However, for some, years can pass without a professional dental cleaning and check-up. The repercussions of dental neglect can be huge! Periodontal disease affects three out of four adults. It is caused by growing living bacteria in the mouth, better known as plaque. The bacteriabreaks down and destroys the periodontal tissue. This tissue affects the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Untreated periodontal disease results in extensive bone destruction and tooth loss.

We offer many preventative options and techniques that help to avoid worst case scenarios. First and foremost, we practice a highly developed and aggressive Soft Tissue Management program for all patients that exhibit any signs of periodontal disease. Early detection is key to successfully treat the disease. If diagnosed at the earliest of stages, also called gingivitis, it can be reversed, and infection, which is primarily in the gums, can be cured. If the infection goes on, it develops into a disease which permanently damages the bone and it cannot be reversed only controlled.

If periodontal disease is diagnosed, a routine cleaning is not enough! An individualized treatment plan will need to be implemented. There are three critical components of that treatment plan.

1. Immediate control of the situation- Root planning and scaling will need to be done to immediately clean the tartar and plaque that exists below the gum line and to detoxify the root surfaces. Pockets that exist deep in the gums will be flushed out with medicines to eliminate bacteria that have built up. These specialized professional cleanings are usually done by certain quadrants at a time, depending on the advanced degree of disease.

2. Consistent and frequent recare appointments- As mentioned before, there is no cure for periodontal disease, only control and maintenance. The bacteria that cause the disease can reestablish in 3 months after treatment. 3 month regular visits are critical for successful therapy, not an option for someone in advanced stages of the disease.

3. Home care- We will recommend a professional cleaning instrument, the RotaDent, it is proven to remove plaque twice as fast as a manual brush, and the soft, rotary brush heads can get into problem areas most effectively. Frequent daily brushing and flossing are essential for successful maintenance.

The bottom line is that dental neglect is equal to overall health neglect. Numerous studies suggest the increase in risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung infections, low-weight, pre-term babies, and respiratory diseases when periodontal disease is present. Dental care health care, and I stress to everyone to take the necessary preventative steps to prevent disease and decay from ever starting.

Dr. Thomas L. Meyer - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers to the areas of Chicago and Des Plaines, Illinois.