Periodontal Therapy
In order to have good oral health, the care and treatment of your gums is just as important as the care given to your teeth. Your gums serve a vital purpose. Healthy gums help to support your teeth, protect the bone structure beneath your teeth, and reduce the risk for oral disease.
Why Gums Matter
The health of your gums is tied in with more than just your oral health. Numerous studies have linked gum disease with other serious health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory concerns, reproductive issues, and cancer.
Your teeth rely on your gums to support and protect them. As periodontal disease advances, your gums recede, exposing more of your tooth and paving the way for an increased risk of decay, infection, loose teeth, and lost teeth.
Our office takes your gum health very seriously. We will work with you to create a treatment program to maintain good periodontal health. If gum disease is already a concern for you, talk to us. Our office practices the periodontal treatment protocol of the JP Institute, a program designed to treat mild-to-moderate periodontal disease with a focus on repetitive therapies and locally acting antibiotics. These treatments allow us to slow the progression of periodontal disease without the need to resort to surgery.
Do You Have Gum Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost 50% of all adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Are you one of the 65 million adults with gum disease?
Gum disease can range from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. Many people with mild gum disease may not even realize that they have the condition. Early gum disease is characterized by swelling and tenderness in the gums. The gums will also lose the pink hue that indicates good health and become redder. As the disease progresses, you may experience sensitivity in your teeth, and your gums may bleed when brushed. Your gums will begin to recede from the teeth, and pockets will begin to form. These pockets provide an opening for bacteria to get deep into your gum tissue and cause infection, which speeds up the progression of gum disease and leads to bone loss and systemic infections.
Preventing and Treating Gum Disease
Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once daily is your best tool in preventing gum disease. Because brushing and flossing cannot remove all the bacteria and plaque that may develop, it’s also crucial that you visit us as recommended for professional cleanings.
A variety of factors can contribute to gum disease including age, gender, lifestyle habits (such as smoking and nutrition), certain health conditions and medications, and your genetics. This means that even with excellent oral hygiene habits, you may develop gum disease, so regular check-ups are a must.
If we discover signs of gum disease during your examination, we will work quickly to develop a treatment protocol based around your individual needs. Your recommended treatment program may include antimicrobial products to be used at home, deep cleaning at our office, and antibiotic therapy using Arestin. We will discuss your condition and our therapies with you thoroughly to make sure you understand how the treatment works and why we recommend it.
To schedule an examination with Dr. Drower, please call our office today.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to the consequences in dentistry such as tooth loss, scientists have linked periodontal disease to a number of other conditions and illnesses. Because periodontal disease is an infection, it is a serious problem if left untreated.
Periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease. While the connection is not yet fully understood, gum disease is a great predictor of heart disease. Both conditions are inflammatory and though it is a chicken and egg dilemma because we do not know which causes which, gum disease is a visible and noticeable risk factor for heart disease and can be a warning of a larger underlying issue.
People with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease and now research is showing that the reverse may also be true. While more studies are needed, the link in undeniable. If you have diabetes, you may need extra care to keep your gums healthy. Be sure to let us know if you are diabetic so that we can help you be extra diligent in maintaining your dental health.
Gum disease has been linked to other conditions such as osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and cancer. That is why is so important to maintain proper dental health and to report any conditions you feel have changed inside your mouth.
Periodontal disease is a serious medical condition involving an infection in your gums and possibly in your bone. The consequences of non-treatment can include tooth loss and even complications of serious systemic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Periodontal disease can be reversible if treated early, so it is always our goal to make sure you are getting the right care to keep your gums healthy. If we see something that requires your attention, we will let you know right away.
Treatment of periodontal disease ranges based on the severity of your infection. At Dr. Drower’s office, we provide deep dental cleanings to help your gums heal. Deep dental cleanings, called root planing and scaling, gently removes plaque and bacteria below the gum line and sterilizes the area so that your gums can heal properly.
Occasionally it may be necessary for oral rinses or for an antibiotic agent to be placed in deep pocketing to assist in healing. Your home care also plays an important part in the successful treatment of periodontal disease and Dr. Drower or our dental hygienist will discuss techniques to benefit you.
At Dr. Sean Drower’s office, your periodontal treatment will be tailored to your specific condition. We are committed to helping you get back on track to good health and wellness.
At each of your visits to our office, Dr. Drower or our hygienist will ask you about your medical history and any changes you have noticed in your health. You should include any changes from your last visit such as medications, medical conditions, and any concerns with your teeth or gums.
Periodontal disease can start suddenly or worsen over time, so be sure to mention if you have experienced any of the following:
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath that will not go away
- Swollen or tender gums
- Gum recession
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
At Dr. Drower’s office, our entire team takes gum disease very seriously. Because it can complicate other conditions, we make it a priority to get gum disease under control and keep it under control.
At your exam or hygiene appointment, we may take measurements of your gums to determine the severity of your gum disease. We take these measurements with a tiny ruler that measures the depth of your gums. Healthy gums stay attached closely to your teeth. Unhealthy gums can be detached from your teeth creating pockets where food and bacteria can get packed.
If you suspect you have periodontal disease, call out office for an evaluation so that we can get you back on the track to excellent health.
While many things can cause bad breath such as medications, medical conditions, tobacco products, and some foods, one of the main causes is periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is a condition typically caused by poor dental hygiene. Food can become packed between your gums and teeth, which causes plaque. Plaque is a sticky white bacterial material that can create irritation and an infection, if not removed in a timely fashion.
This infection can create odors inside your mouth. Many times, people do not even know they have bad breath unless someone tells them. You have probably talked to someone and noticed the odor of periodontal disease. Rinses and washes do not treat the problem and only mask the odor.
Since your tongue is not smooth, plaque can become lodged in the rough surface. That is why tongue brushing or tongue scraping is recommended to keep your mouth clean.
The only truly effective way to get rid of bad breath caused by periodontal disease is to allow us to remove the bacteria and infection for you and help you to implement a healthy home care regimen.
Bad breath can be embarrassing and offensive. Effectively treating your periodontal disease begins with a visit to our office for a full evaluation. We are gentle and thorough in our approach and will make you feel comfortable for your appointment.
Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once daily using good techniques is the most important thing you can do to prevent periodontal disease. Additionally, seeing us for regular professional cleanings and examinations as recommended by Dr. Drower will help keep your gums disease free.
For extra preventive power, follow these guidelines:
- If you currently smoke, quit. Smoking considerably increases your risk of developing periodontal disease. If you need assistance with this, please let us know.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for a well-functioning immune system.
- If you have a chronic health condition like diabetes or cardiovascular disease, follow your doctor's instructions for keeping your condition under control.
- Report any signs of gum disease to us as soon as possible. You may require more frequent cleanings or special products to keep your gums healthy and free from infection.
Early gum disease can be reversible, so be sure to report any changes you notice with your health. At Dr. Sean Drower’s office, we partner with our patients to avoid, diagnose, and cure periodontal disease. By partnering with our patients, we help support your overall wellness and well being.
Call Dr. Sean Drower’s office for a full periodontal evaluation today.
Meet Our Doctor:
Sean P. Drower DMD, MAGD
After obtaining his Bachelors from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA, Dr. Sean Drower attended Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, graduating with his DMD. He then went on to perform his general practice residency at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Drower has achieved his Master's designation in the Academy of General Dentistry, an achievement earned by only 2% of dentists.
Dr. Drower is a strong believer in ongoing education and is committed to staying on top of the latest advancements in the field of dentistry. He is a ...