Periodontics San Francisco

Be aware of periodontal disease

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages and they don’t know when to reach out to a Periodontist. San Francisco-based Gentry Dentistry can help you recognize the signs and proceed with treatment.

The word periodontal means “around the tooth”. Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.

Not only is this gum disease the number one reason for tooth loss, research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Researchers are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affects these systemic diseases and conditions. Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease. Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, regular dental care check-ups, and visits to a periodontist. San Francisco specialist Gentry Dentistry can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Diagnosis

Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination.  This type of exam should always be part of your regular dental check-up.

A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The general depth of a healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get deeper.

Treatment for periodontal disease

Periodontal treatments depend upon the type and severity of the disease. As a Periodontist San Francisco-based specialist, Gentry Dentistry’s dental hygienist staff will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues.  When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!

If dentists catch the disease in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended to new patients. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric toothbrush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.

If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean.  Your dentist may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bone). Gentry Dentistry is one of the best periodontists in San Francisco. You can book a trained periodontist in San Francisco online, or contact us at (415) 515-4694. 

Many people with severe periodontal disease may have to explore surgical options to replace all teeth with dental implants to stop the progression of the disease. In this case, patients will need to get an assessment from a dental implant San Francisco specialist to advise on their options.

Maintenance

It only takes twenty four hours for plaque that is not removed from your teeth to turn into calculus (tartar)!  Daily home cleaning helps control plaque and tartar formation, but those hard to reach areas will always need special attention.

Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend that you have regular maintenance cleanings (periodontal cleanings), usually four times a year.  At these cleaning appointments, the pocket depths will be carefully checked to ensure that they are healthy.  Plaque and calculus that is difficult for you to remove on a daily basis will be removed from above and below the gum line.

Educational video (periodontal maintenance)

Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control. Looking for a Bay Area periodontics specialist? 

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