Adults past the age of 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and Periodontal Diseases is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily, and regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
Other important factors affecting the health of your gums include:
- Tobacco Useage
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Medication
- Poor nutrition
The Perioscope
This is a new technology developed for the treatment of Periodontal Disease. The perioscope is an endoscope that has been specifically designed to explore and visualize the pocket (space) under the gum of teeth, involved with Periodontitis. An image on a computer monitor shows the diseased tooth’s root surface. The Perioscope enables the clinician to see the contents of the periodontal pocket and to analyze the root surface of the tooth for disease causing bacterial accumulations (plaque and calculus).
The perioscope guides the clinician during the process of cleaning the root surface free of plaque and calculus – the treatment for Periodontitis. Also, it allows the clinician to identify other problems (cracks, perforations and other disease-causing flaws of the tooth root’s surface) that are located under the gum — previously requiring surgery to detect.
Periodontal Disease and Tobacco
You are probably familiar with the links between tobacco use and lung disease, cancer and heart disease.
Current studies have now linked periodontal disease with tobacco usage. These cases may be even more severe than those of non-users of tobacco. There is a greater incidence of calculus formation on teeth, deeper pockets between gums and teeth as well as greater loss of the bone and fibers that hold teeth in your mouth.
In addition, your chance of developing oral cancer increases with the use of smokeless tobacco.
Chemicals in tobacco such as nicotine and tar, slow down healing and the predictability of success following periodontal treatment.
- Lung disease
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Mouth sores
- Gum recession
- Loss of bone and teeth
- Bad breath
- Tooth staining
- Less success with periodontal treatment and with dental implants.
Quitting tobacco will reduce the chance of developing the above problems.