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Periodontics is a specialty that deals with gum disease and the problems it causes. Unlike traditional dentistry in Dundee IL, this specialty addresses issues within the tooth structure, not just on the outside. Periodontists use a multitude of treatments in their work, but three are more common than others are. Also, learn how to recognize and prevent gum disease. Preventing Gum Disease Concerned with the soft tissues of the mouth, periodontics dentistry in Dundee IL works to improve and prevent gum disease. Destructive and life-changing, disease of the gum tissue develops in stages. Gingivitis, the first stage, can occur in adults and children. It affects the gums but not the tissue and bone beneath them. Plaque and bacteria gets under the gum line and produces an inflammation. Symptoms of gingivitis are red or red-purple color, bleeding, swelling and slight to mild discomfort when eating, brushing teeth, or flossing teeth. When gingivitis develops immediately, it is called trench mouth (acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis). Extremely painful, this infection requires emergency dental care to relieve the pain and swelling. Periodontitis (advanced stage) forms when the initial inflammation is untreated. During this stage, plaque hardens into tartar, which attracts bacteria. Characterized by the appearance of red, swollen gums, the advanced stage also affects the underlying support tissues (ligaments and jawbone). Support tissues hold teeth in place, so that they do not move around or fall out of the mouth. You find ligaments all over the body, as they connect bone to other bones. Orally, they connect teeth to the jawbone. Advanced gum disease detaches the ligaments and makes teeth loose in the mouth. In addition, healthy bone in the jaw grows on a continuous basis. Periodontitis stops bone growth by making the tissue weak and unable to support teeth. Symptoms of periodontitis are pockets (loose tissue) form around the entire tooth structure, swelling, moderate to severe pain, tooth loss, and bad mouth odor from food, bacteria and plaque that get in the pockets. Bleeding occurs without pressure on the tissue. Treatments A technique called oral prophylaxis is the best way to achieve clean teeth and gums. Prophylaxis (also known as routine cleanings) is done every six months. If you have gingivitis, it is done more often or until the inflammation goes away. Routine cleanings in the office remove plaque that settles under the gum line. Dentists generally use this technique to prevent or treat gingivitis. One of the most common types of deep cleanings for advanced gum disease is scaling and root planing. Scaling refers to removing plaque from the pockets (and from the surfaces of teeth roots) to minimize their size. Root planing refers to smoothing away the rough surfaces of teeth roots and bone. Rough surfaces allow bacteria to get inside teeth, which may aggravate the disease even more. Ultrasonic scaling is an option in dentistry in Dundee IL. It works faster to break up tartar. Depending on the condition of the advanced disease, you may need to break your treatments up into three to four visits. Your dentist may choose to do one or two areas of the mouth at a time. This helps relieve mouth soreness and pain. A technique used to shrink the size of large pockets is pocket reduction surgery. The goals of periodontists are to improve the condition of your gums, and to reduce your chances of tooth loss. If left untreated, the large pockets will continue to harbor bacteria as well. Special pain relievers (anesthetics) may be applied directly into the pockets. This surgery and the deep cleaning technique may be used in periodontics dentistry in Dundee IL.
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