Our periodontal maintenance program in Keene NH, keeps your gums healthy
Wouldn’t it be nice if you are in charge of your own oral health NOT dental professionals?
At Monadnock Perio & Implant Center, our number one goal is helping patients in the Monadnock and surrounding areas achieve and maintain excellent oral health. We do this by continuously educating our patients about the diseases and their prevention at home every day. Your gums play a vital role in the health of your smile, and if you have undergone treatment for gum disease, we are here to help you maintain your results and prevent the condition from worsening again. With our customized periodontal maintenance program, you can keep gum disease under control and preserve the health and function of your teeth and gums.
Periodontal maintenance vs. prophylaxis: which is better for me?
Each patient is unique, and we will work with you to determine the best routine treatment plan for your specific needs. In some cases, patients with early stages of gum disease may need to come in for regular cleanings (prophylaxis) of their teeth on a more frequent basis than patients with healthy gums. However, patients with more advanced periodontal disease like deep pockets, bone loss, exposed roots, prior periodontal surgery, or scaling and root planing. Would typically need a more intensive periodontal maintenance program that cleans the plaque, tartar, and bacteria from above and below the gum line. The scientific literature is very clear that receiving regular periodontal maintenance therapy from a periodontist office reduces the chance of tooth loss in the long term.
Look after your gum health to maintain your overall health; Dr. Kwon explains the link
So gum disease is a bacterial infection in the mouth which is caused by bacteria that is living in the gum surrounding the teeth, which sometimes is called as a pocket of the gum. And it’s modulated by many different factors such as systemic health. Sometimes, patient with cardiovascular diseases or diabetes or sometimes osteoporosis, they may actually have some susceptibility to develop periodontal diseases.
And secondly, it can be caused by somebody who is prone to tooth disease genetically. So, unfortunately, some people are prone to gum disease. And third, sometimes environmental factors such as smoking habits which puts them into greater risk for disease and also sometimes diet or their life pattern, exercise pattern. So, it’s a very complex disease that requires a more comprehensive approach to treat.
The first sign that you see is the change in color in your gums. So, a lot of times, the gum tissue appears more red, swollen and when patients brush, sometimes they notice some bleeding. I always tell patients that redness and bleeding in your gum is something that everyone should look for, cause for example, if you rub your eye with your fingers and then you bleed, you are going to see the eye doctor right away. But somehow, when it comes to mouth, sometimes a patient sees bleeding and they always say, “Oh, maybe I’m brushing a little bit too hard”, but it’s one of the first signs you get when there’s a development with gum disease. So, I want everyone to come, look for those signs.
As the disease progresses, a lot of times it becomes a little bit irreversible and it starts affecting the bone that is surrounding the teeth. And as that happens, obviously because the bone is supporting your teeth, the teeth will be a little bit moving or sometimes, they may shift over time. It may cause recession of the gum and bone so your teeth may look a little bit longer.
Gum and bone are the foundation for your teeth and as the disease progresses, unfortunately, patients will experience loss of the gum and bone. As a result, teeth can be lost from the diseases. So, by treating them practically early before it’s too late, we can prevent unfortunate loss of your tooth, which means saving teeth.
There are many scientific areas suggesting a link between periodontal diseases and other systemic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, some types of cancers and also Alzheimer’s disease. So, by maintaining your gum and bone and your mouth overall healthy, you are actually contributing to overall health of your body.
What to expect during periodontal maintenance cleanings
Our perio maintenance program is customized for each patient, but a periodontal maintenance cleaning typically includes the following components:
- A visual examination of your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues
- X-rays to evaluate whether any new cavities have formed if any bone loss has occurred and whether there are any other abnormalities in existing dental restorations or abnormal findings in your mouth, neck, and head
- Gentle removal of plaque and tartar from your teeth, both above and below the gum line: first, we use a specialized instrument that combines ultrasonic vibrations and cooling water to loosen large tartar pieces and then manually remove the smaller deposits by hand
- Smoothing out of the tooth roots (root planing) to help close any loose pockets and promote healthy reattachment of your gums to the teeth
- Topical fluoride application as a complementary service to reduce your sensitivity from exposed root surfaces and to help you prevent cavities
Your partners in oral health
At Monadnock Perio & Implant Center, our team of dental professionals takes pride in working together with you to restore and maintain your oral health. We strive to maintain long-term relationships with our patients to have the continuity of care they deserve in a fun, relaxing environment. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Kwon or Dr. Tase, call our Keene, NH office today at (603) 215-5800!