Soft Tissue Management Program for Gum Disease & Bad Breath by Western MA Dentist - Mitch Kotzen

www.meadowplacedental.com

For at least the last 20 years television commercials have been discussing plaque and calculus as destructive elements that lead to gingivitis or gum disease and have advocated the use of powered brushes, floss, mouthwashes, as well as various brands of toothpaste and rightly so. Dental disease is preventable if proper time, effort, and techniques are followed. But if we have gum issues, what are we to do? A visit to the dentist is in order if you haven't been for a while. If you do go regularly and have bleeding gums or mouth odors you should question your dentist or hygienist about the potential causes and possible treatments.

A proper dental examination should include:

• Any updated medical history with any new medications taken

• Any chief complaint you may have

• A head and neck and oral cancer exam

• A jaw joint exam

• A bite or occlusal exam

A periodontal exam of the gums includes: use of a periodontal measuring device to determine if the gums have a healthy attachment to the teeth at six different locations for every tooth in the mouth and observe if there is any bleeding or inflammation at any of these locations. Measurements of any recession of the gums, mobility of the teeth, and any open spaces or loose contacts of the teeth where food impaction and plaque accumulation can occur. An exam for cavities alone will not do!

With these findings a program can be tailored to your individual needs. A non-surgical soft tissue management program often times is all that is needed to return the gums to what healthy state. The roots of the teeth are cleaned smooth. This is usually accomplished in two visits; one side of the mouth is treated at a time, utilizing a small amount of local anesthetic for completely comfortable treatment. At times a localized, time released antibiotic is placed under the gum as an adjunct in a particularly inflamed area. This will help to shrink the pocket and make it more sterile. After the second visit a thorough cleaning and revaluation is scheduled. We send all of our documentation to your insurance company to a help expedite the claim.

If there are any areas that do not respond adequately to this initial treatment, or areas of advanced bone loss a patient will be offered a referral to a periodontist for further evaluation.

Bruxism or clenching and grinding of the teeth combined with plaque, calculus, and inflammation can cause a more severe response and the gum tissues can recede and lose attachment. If this is not addressed the teeth will eventually become loose.

With the link that has been proven between gum disease, heart disease, and diabetes it is all that more important to address any of the signs of periodontal disease as early as possible.

If you would like a more detailed explanation of our Soft Tissue Management program please call Meadow Place Dental at 413 525-6123 or visit us on the web at www.meadowplacedental.com