Gum Exam
Periodontal or gum disease, is a very common problem which is often preventable. Gum disease is also a very common reason a tooth or several teeth can be lost. The problem can develop early and progresses very slowly, often with no symptoms or pain. If not addressed, gum disease can eventually lead to infection or loss of teeth. Our goal is to inform our patients about gum disease, how it is caused and most importantly how to prevent it.
Your teeth are supported by your gums and the bone around your teeth. Dental plaque is a sticky film that consists of bacteria which can accumulate on teeth. As plaque accumulates, it will harden into tartar which cannot always be removed with simple brushing and flossing. Both plaque and tartar will cause the gums to become inflamed. They may look red or puffy and will most likely bleed with you brush them or floss. This is called gingivitis. Eventually, the inflammation can continue and affect the bone surrounding your teeth which can lead to periodontal or gum disease. With time, chronic inflammation will cause the support of the teeth to be reduced and teeth can become loose and may need to be removed.
Prevention is the best tool to avoid gum disease. This involves regular cleanings at the dentist and most importantly, proper home care of brushing and flossing. At each check-up, the dentist will assess the health of your gums. If any areas need more work at home, the hygienist will help show you the best ways to reach those spots. If your gums are very inflammed or show signs of gum disease, the dentist may recommend to examine the health of your gums further by doing a detailed gum exam or periodontal exam. During this exam, the dental hygienist will measure where your gums are more puffy/inflammed or where you may have "gum pockets" which are harder to clean. A gum pocket is the space between the top of your gum line to the bottom, where the bone is. As a gum pocket increases in size, it will be harder for you to clean it with regular brushing and flossing. The exam also includes taking note of any areas of bleeding, gum recession or moving teeth. After the periodontal exam is complete, Dr. Seidler will go over the results and review the best therapy to correct any problem and also, the best way to prevent the problem from re-occuring.