Periodontal Screening and Treatment

Gum disease or periodontal disease is a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue.

Bacterial plague is a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth and it is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. Specific periodontal diseases may be associated with specific bacterial types. If plague is not removed each day by brushing and flossing it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus. Toxins produced and released by bacteria in plague irritate the gums. These toxins cause the break down of the fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets which fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, pockets all around the tooth extended deeper and the bacteria moves down until the bone that holds the tooth in place is destroyed. The tooth will eventually need to be extracted.

Somers Dental Care has a hygiene staff devoted to educating our patients onthe prevention of periodontal disease.

In some cases a periodontal treatment may not follow a hygiene schedule and periodontal disease is detected at a visit. The hygienist can treat the disease in its early stage which involves scaling and root planning which removes the plague and calculus under the gum. This procedure done at the early stage of periodontal disease an with proper home care wipe out periodontal disease in its entirety.