Periodontal disease, also referred to as periodontitis, is inflammation of the gum and bone structure around the teeth, leading to the destruction of supporting bone. This progressive disease can wreak havoc on your smile and overall dental health. Fortunately, for most patients, periodontitis is easily preventable and treatable.
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Risk Factors & Prevention
For the majority of patients, the cause of periodontal disease is plaque and bacteria buildup from poor dental hygiene. Genetics always plays a role in periodontal disease, but some people have aggressive periodontitis, which is very difficult to treat due to the patient’s genetic predisposition. If a patient has aggressive periodontitis, even with the best home care, they might still lose bone around teeth.
Aside from those suffering from aggressive periodontitis, regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings help prevent the disease. We typically recommend dental cleanings every 6 months, but those more prone to periodontal disease may benefit from more regular visits. Periodontitis most commonly starts causing issues in a patient’s thirties or forties. People of Asian, Black, and Hispanic ethnicities are genetically more at risk for periodontal disease.
Signs of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease always starts as gingivitis, so bleeding gums is the first sign of periodontitis. Painful gums is also a symptom. Loosening and shifting of teeth indicate a severe case of periodontitis. Unfortunately, bone loss from periodontal disease cannot be reversed. In some specific cases, we can administer a bone graft to increase supporting bone. Treatment aims to slow, control, and stop bone loss. Once we stop the progression of bone loss, the patient will continue living with reduced bone and gum levels, but it can usually be managed easily.
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
The most common treatment option for periodontal disease is scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning. We perform a deep cleaning on any teeth with deeper pockets. This procedure involves numbing the patient and thoroughly cleaning the root structure of the teeth. After we complete the deep cleaning, we bring them back in for an evaluation appointment and set them up with a recall schedule. Depending on the patient’s needs, we schedule subsequent appointments for every 3 to 6 months. Patients are also asked to maintain stellar dental hygiene habits at home, including brushing two to three times a day, and flossing daily with traditional floss or a water pick. Antibiotic mouth rinses also provide another potential treatment option by reducing plaque and bacterial buildup.
A Surprising Treatment Option for Periodontitis
In addition to typical treatment options for periodontitis, there’s a surprising treatment option that can help combat the disease: teeth whitening! Whitening gel contains either hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, the same chemicals in your medicine cabinet traditionally used to clean wounds. The peroxide cleans wounds by putting a concentrated amount of oxygen in the area to kill bacteria. The whitening gel does the same thing; it puts oxygen onto the surface of the teeth and under the gumline to whiten teeth and kill bacteria with its high oxygen content.
Teeth whitening can serve as an adjunct therapy along with traditional periodontal disease treatment options. By effectively killing bacteria, the whitening gel can reduce inflammation, consequently reducing bone loss. As a cosmetic and experimental procedure when used in conjunction with other treatments to combat periodontal disease, insurance does not cover the teeth whitening portion of periodontal treatment. Additionally, it’s important to note that if someone suffers from aggressive periodontitis, the whitening gel will not help them because genetics play a more influential role in their case than poor dental hygiene.
Periodontitis Consultation & Treatment at Cedarwood Dentistry
If you suspect you may be suffering from periodontitis, come see us at Cedarwood Dentistry. We will devise a treatment plan to stop the progression of the disease, helping you retain more bone and gum structure for a healthy smile.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.