Below is an article written by by Tracey Sandilands and found on Colgate.com
Antimicrobial therapy is a form of oral treatment used to eliminate or reduce the development of bacterial infections in the mouth. The therapy aims to prevent periodontal diseaseresulting from infections, which can cause painful, bleeding gums and loosening of your teeth.
Preparation and Treatment
If your dentist decides you will benefit from antimicrobial treatment, they will likely start with scaling and root planing. This process removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from the sulcus area around the teeth using either a scaler or instruments as well as an ultrasonic scaling device. In severe cases where there are periodontal pockets greater than 5-6 mm deep, the dentist may recommend that the patient be seen by a periodontist to evaluate the area with deeper pocketing and determine if gum surgery may be necessary. The scaling and root planing and gum surgery treatments require local anesthesia to reduce the patient's discomfort. The dental hygienist performs the scaling and root planing procedure.
During gum surgery, the periodontist makes an incision into the gum tissue, flaps the tissue back and cleans and scales the surface of the affected teeth and bone to remove the diseased tissue and infection. The gum tissue is then put back in place and sutured and the gum tissue will heal, and the periodontist will check the area a week or so after surgery. The use of an antiseptic mouthwash or antibiotic medication may be recommended for the next seven to 10 days.
Antiseptic Mouthwashes
Mouthwashes containing antiseptic ingredients help control the reproduction of the bacteria, which grow on the gum tissue in the mouth, and help to clean out the pockets around the individual teeth. The ingredients in antiseptic mouthwashes may include chlorhexidine, essential oils, and metal salts Sn11 and Zn11 to help control dental plaque and halitosis.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com
The remainder of the article details the following:
- Antibiotic Medications
- After Treatment
You know good dental
habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not
know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your
mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental
health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are
available. Please
note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist,
physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage
of gum disease, an infection of the
tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums
may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also
experience bad breath. Because gum disease
is usually painless, you may not know you have it.
You are more likely to develop gum disease if you skip brushing and flossing, use tobacco, have crooked teeth
that are hard to keep clean, are pregnant, have diabetes or take certain
medications. When in its early stages, the disease is still reversible and your
gums can be returned to good health with a professional cleaning from your
dentist, along with daily brushing and flossing.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis
is the more advanced form of gum disease, a major cause of
tooth loss in adults. According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S.
adults suffer from it. The disease can be reversed in early stages, but damage
may be permanent the longer it goes untreated. Although you may not be aware of
the gum disease in your mouth, abscesses can develop which
usually painful. Symptoms include bleeding, swollen gums,
persistent bad breath or bad taste, loose
permanent teeth and a change in bite. Your teeth may appear to become longer as
gums and bone recede. There are many treatments available, including deep cleanings known as scaling and
root planing. Talk to your dentist to find out what’s best for you.
Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection
that looks like white film in your mouth. You’re more likely to get thrush if
you have an illness that affects your immune system. This includes people with
HIV/AIDS or cancer, as well as people
using steroids to manage their asthma. People with untreated or uncontrolled diabetes are also susceptible
because sugar in saliva encourages yeast to grow. Thrush is also common in
people who wear dentures. If you have
symptoms, see your dentist. After a scraping to confirm you have thrush, your
dentist can prescribe medicine to clear it up.
To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
The association between gum diseases and heart disease is not a secret anymore. It has always raised a question in my mind if maintaining good oral health can help me achieve good overall health. Well, the answer is “yes.” Maintaining good oral health can save us from spending thousands of dollars on preventing heart diseases. We can say that proper brushing and flossing can help us maintain a healthy heart. According to the American Academy of Periodontolgy, people with gum diseases are twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease, one of the leading causes of heart attacks.
Atherosclerosis also known as “hardening of arterial wall” is one of the major etiological factors of heart disease. This occurs due to deposition of plaque (formed by accumulation of fat and other blood substances on the arterial wall). This can eventually clog the artery leading to complete blockage of coronary arteries precipitating into stroke.
To read the entire article written by Swati Yadav, please visit ASDABlog.com
Cori K. Crider, DDS
2444 Packard Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 572-4428
Learn more about Scaling and Root Planing to remove tartar and plaque below the gum line
Gum disease is not that common
On the contrary, gum disease is extremely common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease, an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.
The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org
Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect where the teeth and gums meet. Plaque buildup is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease, including gingivitis.
How to Get Rid of Plaque
To help prevent plaque buildup, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with an anti-plaque toothpaste such as Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste for around the clock protection against plaque buildup, and floss once a day.
Adding a mouth rinse such as Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Rinse to your routine can help against plaque buildup, without the burning sensation of alcohol. Eating well-balanced meals and brushing after snacks will reduce the formation of plaque. Visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings, during which your dental professional will scrape away any accumulated plaque with a special instrument.
Above article from: Crest.com
Cori K. Crider, DDS
2444 Packard Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 572-4428
Bleeding or sore gums can be a sign of gingivitis, an early and reversible stage of gum disease, or simply the result of brushing too hard or starting a new flossing routine. If your gums bleed regularly, or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist or physician, it could be a sign that something else is wrong.
Above article from: MouthHealthy.org
Cori K. Crider, DDS
2444 Packard Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 572-4428
We Can Alleviate Symptoms of Gum
Disease
Chronic
bad breath, bleeding, or receding gums are often symptoms of
periodontal (gum) disease. It has been estimated by the American
Dental Association that 90% of all adults have some level of
development of gum disease. The usual treatments for this condition
range from deep cleaning and scaling to surgery. We are pleased to
offer a minimally invasive technique that is very gentle but
effective in eliminating the bacteria that causes the problems. It’s
called Perio Protect™ and often eliminates the need for any surgery.
Here’s how it works:
Special trays are made for each patient’s upper and lower dental
arches. This is similar to the trays made for whitening teeth. The
trays are filled with time-released antimicrobial medication that is
absorbed into the gums and that works by removing the harmful film
of bacteria from teeth and root surfaces.
As this treatment is most effective, it is the winning ticket to
quickly and painlessly fight this harmful disease. In just a few
days, you will begin to see results and be happy with what you see.
Please set up an appointment to determine if you are a suitable
candidate for this method.
Cori K. Crider, DDS
2444 Packard Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 572-4428
Cause
of Lost Teeth
Part of our care is providing education to each patient for the
reasons of tooth loss. Many seem to think that tooth loss occurs
primarily because of decay. But the number one reason is periodontal
or gum disease. Early detection can reverse this serious problem. So
if you have bleeding gums, loose or shifting teeth, please let us
help you return to healthy teeth and gums.
A
Connection Between Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease
Studies made by the American Dental Association have shown that
there is a connection between gum disease and other serious
conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or even stroke. Researchers
have found that people who have elevated levels of bacteria from the
mouth had a higher probability of hardened arteries. It is important
to come in to our office for treatment if you have any of the
symptoms of gum disease – bleeding or swollen gums, loose teeth, or
a receding gumline. This could be not only an indication of gum
disease, but an early sign of a serious cardiovascular problem. You
probably won’t feel your cholesterol rising or your arteries
hardening, but you will feel painful or bleeding gums. Call us today
if you have this problem.
Treatments for Gum Disease
It is important to have an appointment with Dr. Crider with the
first symptoms of gum disease. When this problem reaches advanced
stages, the treatment will be surgical. However, if treated in the
beginning stages, nonsurgical methods are effective and successful
in halting any infection that could have an effect on your overall
health. Treatments could be a professional dental cleaning, scaling
or root planing, or antibiotics. We will assess your needs and
discuss a treatment plan with you at your first visit.
The
Problem with Losing a Tooth
Many patients do not realize the problems that can result from
losing even a single tooth. As your teeth play a major role in
absorbing nutrients from food, it is important to have proper
chewing with a full set of teeth. Your diet may change as eating
healthy, raw fruits and vegetables becomes difficult with the
absence of teeth. Eating softer, processed foods may increase your
carbohydrate intake and result in weight gain. Also, your speech can
become slurred or distorted, which may have an effect on job
performance and professionalism. Your facial appearance may change,
as bone or tooth loss will give a hollow look along the contours of
your face and make you look older than you are. We provide a very
suitable solution with implants. They look so natural no one will
ever be able to tell it is not a real tooth.
Cori K. Crider, DDS
2444 Packard Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 572-4428
Antimicrobial therapy is a form of oral treatment used to eliminate or reduce the development of bacterial infections in the mouth. The therapy aims to prevent periodontal diseaseresulting from infections, which can cause painful, bleeding gums and loosening of your teeth.
