Oral Hygiene

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is commonly known as gingivitis or pyorrhoea. It is an infection of the gums and bone around the teeth caused by bacterial plaque. Bacteria multiply in plaque and cause inflammation and breakdown of the tooth supporting bone. Plaque is continually forming and after time can build up into hard deposits which cannot be removed by brushing alone.

Symptoms of periodontal disease may include one or more of the following:

• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth or use a tooth pick.
• Gums that are red, swollen or tender
• Gums that ooze pus when compressed
• Teeth that are loose
• Persistent bad breath
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Gums that have pulled away (receded) from teeth
• Changes in the way your teeth fit when biting

The detection of periodontal diseases has far reaching implications for our patients. Recent breakthrough discoveries have been made in the area of periodontal (gum and bone) health and its affect on the health of entire body. These studies have revealed that 80% of the population has early signs of periodontal disease. And 10 percent of adults aged 18 to 64 have severe disease.

Researchers have found that the relationship between gum disease and the cardiovascular system may, in some cases, double the risk of a fatal stroke or heart attack. Periodontal disease may also have adverse affects on the course of pregnancy and childbirth. Affected women suffer a seven times greater risk of having a premature or low birth weight baby. Also there is a strong two-way relationship between gum disease and increased risks for those suffering from other ailments such as diabetes, respiratory diseases or coronary artery disease. Quite often the medications prescribed for these ailments can put patients at risk for periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease may have adverse affects on the course of pregnancy and childbirth. Affected women suffer a seven times greater risk of having a premature or low birth weight baby. Also there is a strong two-way relationship between gum disease and increased risks for those suffering from other ailments such as diabetes, respiratory diseases or coronary artery disease. Quite often the medications prescribed for these ailments can put patients at risk for periodontal disease. And equally as often, periodontal disease can lead to many of these diseases or the worsening of existing conditions.

Periodontal diseases remain a primary cause of breath disorders and the chief cause of tooth loss in adults. Tooth loss frequently results in impaired chewing, speaking, an unpleasing smile and occlusal problems. These reasons make the early detection of periodontal diseases more important than ever.

Continuing Care

Our Continuing Care Program is detailed, comprehensive, and set up with your best interests in mind. Early diagnosis and treatment of problems is practicing prevention which usually makes treatment more successful and helps keep financial costs down.

Our Continuing Care/ Periodontal Maintenance program is designed to help our patients maintain oral health by the early detection and treatment of oral disease. As well as the dental scaling and polishing that make up the regular cleanings which we provide ee also incorporate patient education regarding oral disease and prevention. All of these things fall under the category of Preventive Dentistry, which we consider to be very important.

Most patients require a dental cleaning at least twice each year, while most patients with advanced gum disease need to be treated every three months.

A regular dental cleaning appointment with Dr. Shellborn and the staff includes:

• examination for pathology including cancer
• examinations for periodontal disease (gum disease)
• Velscope examination for oral cancer
• evaluation of the bite and joints (TMJ)
• X-rays to evaluate the teeth and check the bone for pathology as well as to monitor periodontal bone loss around the teeth
• evaluation of dental esthetics to address any of your concerns or needs for cosmetic treatment such as bleaching/ bonding/orthodontics/surgery
• evaluation of tooth replacement with dentures, bridges, and placement of implants
• Oral Hygiene Instruction
• each patient is provided with a toothbrush brush, floss, and other aids for cleaning at no extra charge
• And of course, we check for tooth decay.

Oral Hygiene Instruction

Our hygienists are always happy to spend the time helping out patients understand their individual hygiene needs. They are willing to answer any questions you may have and offer little tips and hints to make your home care routine as easy as possible.

Our Techniques and Equipment

Our hygiene department utilizes ultrasonics in conjunction with the traditional method of hand instrument scaling.

Ultrasonics compliment traditional hand instrument debridement (removal of the hard scale like material from the teeth and root surface of the tooth) by also offering:

• the ability to reach deeper pocket areas with smaller, specifically designed ultrasonic inserts
• ultrasonic vibration removes pathogenic bacteria and endotoxins from root surfaces
• patient comfort is greatly increased
• ultrasonics "flush" pockets through irrigation

Click on the following links to learn more about your dental exam and oral health:

www.oralhealthalberta.ca/overview/dental-exam

www.oralhealthalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Media-TheDentalExam-MoreThanJustACheckup.pdf

www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/index.asp