Gum Disease Treatment
What is Gum Disease?
We know that if gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to very serious health problems. Periodontal disease is an indication of many serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, premature births, low birth weight and more.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease begins with simple gum irritation, clinically known as gingivitis. This occurs when a person’s home hygiene is not sufficient, as plaque starts to make its way under the gums. This irritates your gums. Plaque is a film that forms on the teeth throughout the day, consisting of bacteria, bacterial waste products, food residue, and saliva. When you brush and floss your teeth, you remove the plaque. Then it starts to rebuild, only to be removed again when you brush your teeth again at night. If your home care is not done correctly or is not done twice daily, plaque can develop beneath the gum line, which is very irritating to your gums.
What are the Signs of Gum Disease?
If gum disease is addressed at its early stages, it can be reversered. You must keep up with your recommended professional dental cleaning and examations with your dentist. Dr. Slepchik and your hygienist may recommend root scaling or deep cleaings after your hygiene assessment. They may recommend a series of appointments to improve the health of your tissue.
However, if you ignore the bleeding gums, and if you don’t properly brush and floss, the plaque will not go away by itself. If left in place, the plaque hardens into tartar, causing more persistent irritation. As the tartar pushes farther under the gums, the gums pull away in reaction. This creates “periodontal pockets,” perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Now you have full-blown periodontal disease.
What Are The Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?
In the beginning stages, many are unaware that they have periodontal disease. This is because there are usually no symptoms such as pain to indicate that they have it. Gum disease varies from minor in its early stages to severe when diagnosed at a later date.
Gum disease gives you warning signs as it is developing. You may see the following:
- Gums that bleed when brushing your teeth ( if you see blood in the sink when you are rinsing your mouth, you should phone your dentist for an appointment immediately.)
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Receding gums
- Deep pockets between the teeth and the gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in your bite
If you notice any of these symptoms, you neeed to see a dentist! After an initial cleaning and scaling with your hygienist, you may need further gum treatment to keep the periodontal disease from advancing. The end result of severe gum disease is complete tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and dentures.
How Can Gum Disease Be Controlled?
Early periodontal disease can be controlled if treated early and followed up with frequent maintenance visits, so that the bacteria causing disease is eliminated periodically. Severe periodontal disease can also be treated but is much less predictable and may cause tooth loss; eventually you may possibly need tooth replacement.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Gum Treatment with Dr. Slepchik?
To be considered a good candidate for gum treatment you should be in good general health and show symptoms of periodontal disease.
How Does The Gum Treatment Work?
Your hygienist will freeze each area or side of your mouth. You are able to return to work or your regular with no problem. The freezing wears off quickly. In some cases, when a patient is either overly sensitive or extremely anxious, Dr. Slepchik will use our gentle automated freezing system Dental Vibe with the Wand to completely freeze the whole area. Please remember you can resume your regular activities immediately after the appointment.
What Is A Deep Cleaning and How Does it Control Gum Disease?
Your deep cleaning appointment involves removing plaque and tartar while having anaesthetic to make sure you are comfortable. Usually, it takes from 3 to 5 visits, and during each appointment, the deep cleaning is done for one-quarter of the mouth. You may chooose to do 1 complete side of the mouth at a time in 1 appointment. This means you will be here for 2 hours; one hour of time is needed for 1/4 of the mouth. This allows your hygienist to take her time and go at a slower pace so that you are comfortable. If you need a break during this appointment, please let us know.
This treatment is the easiest and simplest approach to control periodontal disease. It is a nonsurgical procedure that will prevent more aggressive treatment in the future while helping you maintain your dental health. This treatment, along with a 3-month dental cleaning, will keep the levels of the disease-causing bacteria under control. This prevents further harm to your gum tissue and the supporting bone area. We have seen excellent results in many of our patients. It is also highly likely you will avoid more complicated and costly surgical procedures.
Dr. Slepchik’s Patient Testimonial
Said to a new patient coming from a long time patient leaving our office after his appointment ~ “You are very lucky to have found this dental office. I have been a patient of Dr. Slepchik for 35 years and have only wonderful things to say.” ~ F. L.
Will Periodontal Disease Return After Treatment?
Once bacteria have invaded the gum tissue as well as the connective tissue holding your teeth in place, you’ll now need to be extra vigilant in your home care. You must watch for signs of renewed gum inflammation. Our deep cleanings and other gum treatments are very effective in treating this problem. Be sure to keep to your recommended dental cleaning schedule. We may ask to see you every three months. That way Dr. Slepchik along with your hygienist can check to verify that your periodontal disease remains controlled.
Gum Disease Treatment Before & After
How Do I Maintain My Results After Gum Treatment?
This is what you must do:
- Brush twice daily using a toothpaste approved by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). This toothpaste should have fluoride in it. Brush for two minutes. This can seem like an eternity if you’ve been a quick brusher, but it is the time to fully clean all your teeth, your gum line where the teeth and gums meet, your tongue and the roof of your mouth. We recommend purchasiing a CDA approved electric toothbrush. This provides a more thorough cleaning. Some of them even have timers to tell you when you’ve brushed for two minutes!
- Floss once a day. Flossing is essential. Flossing breaks up the plaque and food caught in between the teeth under the gumline. Take 18 inches of floss, wrap it around both index fingers, then move up and down the sides of each tooth, taking the floss slightly under the gums.
- Use mouthwash. Today there are a variety of CDA-approved mouthwashes that help kill bacteria. Some have active ingredients to specifically help with gum disease. Use these twice a day after brushing your teeth.
What Do I Need to do after Gum Treatment?
Other more involved procedures, such as soft tissue grafting or flap surgery, involve more attentive care during recovery to be sure to keep the infection from returning.
We’ll explain what you need to do in detail after your appointment, as we will need your help if your mouth is to return to good health again.
Schedule A Consultation
Dr. Slepchik is an experienced general and cosmetic dentist in downtown Montreal. We welcome new and returning patients to our practice.
We are located next to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, across from Place Ville Marie. Metro Mc Gill or Metro Bonaventure.