Why can't I just clean my teeth?

Gum disease is a serious infection. Evidence now links gum disease to a variety of health concerns including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases that are life threatening. It's not just about your teeth anymore! Gum disease can be a disfiguring disease. Your gums swell in size and become red. They may bleed very readily. Your teeth may shift and spaces between your teeth may start showing. The teeth then become loose and may need to be removed.

Early detection as with other diseases is the key to successful treatment. Your dentist or hygienist should routinely perform a gum (periodontal) disease screening exam once a year. The results of this examination will determine your periodontal status. If you have gum disease, your treatment will be personalized for you and your level of infection. A routine cleaning is not enough by itself to treat gum disease.

How can I prevent gum disease?

Prevention is the most important factor in the fight against gum disease. It is essential to keep your teeth and gums clean. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day and floss at least once every 24 hours.

Routine and regular visits to your dentist are the best way of catching gum disease in its early stages before too much damage has been caused. Gum disease will not go away by itself or with improved home care. The only way of removing plaque deep under the gums is with professional cleanings. Once you have had a gum problem you will always be susceptible to recurring problems, so be sure to see your dentist on a regular basis - every three to four months unless he or she recommends otherwise.

How can I tell if I'm brushing and flossing properly?

Brushing - Brush your teeth gently, paying special attention to the areas where your teeth and gums meet. Clean every surface of every tooth. Use the tip of your brush to clean behind your upper and lower front teeth.

Flossing - Take a piece of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers. Using a clean section of floss each time, wrap the floss into a C shape around a tooth. Wipe it over the tooth, from base to tip, a couple of times. Repeat on each tooth.

What if I am already in the early stages of gum disease?

If you have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That's why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is:

* cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist to remove built-up tartar

* brushing twice a day to remove plaque and

* flossing once a day to remove plaque.

When gum disease is more serious, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist called a periodontist. A periodontist has extra training in treating gum disease and in restoring (or regenerating) bone and gum tissue that have been lost because of gum disease.

A periodontist also treats serious forms of gum disease that do not get better with normal dental care. When serious gum disease is found, brushing and flossing become even more important.

What is Root Planing?

Normal tooth cleanings remove plaque and calculus deposits from above the gum line. Root planing is necessary when these deposits extend below the gum line.

Root planing is performed with the same tools as normal cleanings but the procedure is more aggressive. Often it is necessary to numb the affected area before the procedure. Once the accumulated plaque and calculus have been removed, the gums will heal, tightening around the teeth.

Depending upon the extent of disease found in the examination, root planing may be done over several practice visits. In this way, your dentist can assess the progress of treatment and alter tactics if necessary.

Simply stated, root planing may be considered as an extension of a "routine cleaning". A "routine cleaning" is intended to clean harden deposits that form above the gums. Over time, these deposits often form below the gums, on the roots. It is at this point that we recommend root planing. What does it accomplish?

During this procedure the root surfaces are literally planed.

This accomplishes several things:

* removes hard deposits and the bacteria they harbor

* creates a smooth root surface that is easier to keep clean

* reduces infection because the bacteria will not reattach to the smooth surface as readily

How quickly will I heal?

Periodontal therapy represents a partnership between you and your periodontal team. If we each do our part, you will achieve the maximum benefit from this procedure. Your results will be affected by:

* how effective you perform your home care

* diet

* smoking

* stress

It is unrealistic to consider your therapy as a quick fix. Each person will respond differently to treatment. Future treatment recommendations will be made on the basis of your healing. For healing to be maximized it is imperative that you participate in your home care everyday.

What is a frenectomy?

A frenectomy is the surgical removal of a frenum in the mouth. A frenum is a fold of tissue that passes from the movable lip or cheek to the gum. When a frenum is positioned in such a way as to interfere with the normal alignment of teeth or results in pulling away of the gum from the tooth surface causing recession, these are often removed using a surgical process known as a frenectomy.

By Dion Kramer

Dion Kramer is co-founder and managing director of NobleHealth. NobleHealth is a dental plan for the people of Brisbane, Australia. Dion Kramer collaborates with a NobleHealth dentist Brisbane so that his writings are topical and up-to-date. You can visit the website to learn more about NobleHealth and each NobleHealth dentist Brisbane http://www.noblehealth.com.au