Preventing Gum Disease
Adults over the age of 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases than from cavities. At least three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal diseases is by daily thorough tooth brushing and flossing techniques and regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people can still develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
Other important factors that can negatively affect the health of your gums include: tobacco usage, stress, clenching and grinding teeth, some medications, and poor nutrition.
The Perioscope
This is a new technology developed for the treatment of periodontal disease. The perioscope is an endoscope that has been specifically designed to explore and visualize the pocket (space) under the gum of teeth involved with periodontitis. An image on a computer monitor shows the diseased tooth’s root surface. The perioscope enables the clinician to see the contents of the periodontal pocket and to analyze the root surface of the tooth for disease, causing bacterial accumulations (plaque and calculus).
The perioscope guides the clinician during the process of cleaning the root surface free of plaque and calculus – the treatment for periodontitis. It also allows the clinician to identify other problems (cracks, perforations and other disease causing flaws of the tooth root’s surface) that are located under the gum – previously requiring surgery to detect.
Periodontal Disease & Tobacco
You are probably familiar with the links between tobacco use and lung disease, cancer, and heart disease. Current studies have now also linked periodontal disease with tobacco usage. Cases of periodontal disease are more severe in smokers and tobacco-users than those who do not use tobacco. There is a greater incidence of calculus formation on teeth, deeper pockets between gums and teeth, and a greater loss of the bone and fibers that hold teeth in your mouth. In addition, your chance of developing oral cancer increases with the use of smokeless tobacco.
Chemicals in tobacco such as nicotine and tar also slow down healing and the predictability of success following periodontal treatment. Quitting smoking and tobacco-use can have innumerous benefits for your overall and periodontal health.
Perio Protect
Chances are you have a solid routine when it comes to oral hygiene; brush, maybe floss, gargle, and repeat. And you should continue to do all of those things. You may even schedule regular, six-month dental cleanings. That’s great. Keep it up.
But for over half of American adults, that’s still not enough to ward off bad breath, gum disease or even overall health issues. That’s because your toothbrush is a tool, as in just one tool, that can only do so much. When it comes to penetrating below the gum line, where open wounds and gum disease are known to thrive, you need more.
Custom trays, molded specifically to your mouth, are built with a patented seal that gently delivers bacteria-fighting hydrogen peroxide deep below your gums where a toothbrush simply can’t reach.
It’s the difference between a Band-Aid and a tourniquet. And the best part is you’re in control. And it can be done in the comfort of your home. The benefits are remarkable.
By treating gum disease in this non-invasive way, you can clear up infections that cause bleeding of the gums. This is important because bleeding gums can become a conduit for pathogens to enter your bloodstream and lead to larger issues like heart disease, diabetes and colorectal cancer. Further, this treatment also brightens teeth and freshens breath
If you have been told you have gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), ask our team if Perio Trays are right for you.