Periodontal Disease

Signs: There are many signs and symptoms, here are a few:

• gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• red, swollen, tender gums
• gums that have receded or shrunk away from your teeth
• chronic bad breath and bad taste in mouth
• loose teeth

Diagnosis: Will include but may not be limited to the following:

• Full Mouth X-rays
• Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation, including a charting of the pockets around each tooth.

Treatment: Depending on the severity of each case many treatment options are available. Your specific treatment options can only be determined by the dentist. Here is a list of possible treatment options:

• More frequent cleanings, possibly 4 a year to help remove the periodontal bacteria buildup
• Scaling and root planing, a “deep” cleaning, going under the gum tissue to remove calculus deposits, and smoothing the root surfaces so the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth. This can take up to four separate appointments and is often done with local anaesthesia.
• application of medicine to the dental pocket.
• oral medications to help kill bacteria in the oral cavity.

In severe cases we may refer you to a specialist called a Periodontist.