Non-Surgical Ways to Fight Periodontal Disease

Whether we're conscious of it or not, whenever we brush or floss, we are doing battle against an unseen foe: bacteria. Bacteria thrive in our mouths, and if we let them, they slowly take over, spreading into the gum tissue and beyond, attacking and destroying the very bones that support our teeth. That's periodontal disease.

According to the American Dental Association, three out of four adult Americans have some form of gum disease and about 25 million adults suffer from serious periodontal disease. Some of the telltale signs of periodontal disease are red, swollen or tender gums, chronic bad breath, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and gums that pull away from the teeth leaving periodontal pockets. When gum inflammation or infection has been left untreated for too long, they spread from the gums to underlying ligaments and bones that support the teeth, causing periodontal pockets to form. These pockets leave tooth roots even more vulnerable to attack. The teeth can loosen and even fall out. In fact, periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

If bacteria has advanced this far, you need heavier weapons than a toothbrush and floss to fight back. Scaling and root planing (SRP), or deep cleaning, treatments are one important defense. SRP effectively removes plaque buildup, but it cannot kill all of the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Particularly with the deep pockets caused by advanced disease, bacteria can remain hidden in recesses that are unreachable by the dental instruments used in SRP. To increase the effectiveness of SRP treatments, we may suggest placing a specially developed antibiotic, such as Arestin and Atridox, directly into the infected areas.

We are always available to answer any questions or concerns you might have concerning all aspects of your periodontal health and maintenance.