Before you understand how to take care of your gums properly or periodontal maintenance, you need to know about periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is basically a bacterial infection of the bone that supports your gums and the teeth. It is a very persistent infection. You would require thorough perio cleaning. Some of the common signs of periodontal disease are:
- Swollen, tender, and red gums
- Frequent bleeding of gums after brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Pain during chewing
- Teeth that are loose
Many factors may cause gum disease, some of these include hormonal changes, smoking, diabetes, and genetics. Dentists use a series of quick tests to discover if you suffer from gum disease. They measure your gum pockets. If your gum pockets are a minimum of 5mm deep, then you might suffer from this infection. If you have already found that you have periodontal disease, you need a thorough periodontal gum cleaning. You can also undergo periodontal surgery. Your dentist might recommend periodontal maintenance after one of these treatments.
Periodontal maintenance is a procedure that thoroughly cleans your teeth. Periodontal maintenance is essential as it helps in preventing gum diseases from developing. The bacteria from plaque can colonize your gum tissue and cause further periodontal disease or gingivitis. The bacterial colonies can also cause inflammation and irritation that leads to an inflammatory response inside the body. As a result, the gum tissue and bone starts to get destroyed. If this condition further escalates it may cause your teeth to get unstable, shift, or even fall out. The voids between the gums and teeth can deepen consequently causing even more bacteria to get accumulated inside. The bacteria can also travel into your bloodstream, and cause infections in other parts of your body.
Why Is Periodontal Maintenance Important?
Periodontal maintenance helps in keeping your mouth in excellent health. It can also stop gum disease from spreading. Some benefits of periodontal maintenance include:
Removal of Tar
If neglected, the tar and plaque buildup can lead to more significant periodontal problems in the future. Brushing your teeth and flossing doesn’t necessarily remove all the deposits, debris, and bacteria from your gum pockets. You need a piece of high-quality dental equipment and a good dentist to treat after properly identifying dental issues such as tartar and plaque buildup in time.
Aesthetics
If you have a plaque build-up, your teeth might appear yellow. Yellow and discolored teeth can diminish your self-esteem. With proper periodontal maintenance, you can get rid of the ugly stains and get back your healthy, and beautiful smile.
Fresh Breath
Periodontal disease can be identified by bad breath. The bad breath is caused by periodontal problems, gangrene resulting from gum infections, and rotting food beneath the gum line. Removal of plaque, bacteria, and calculus, can significantly improve your breath.
Identifying Health Issues
As your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth completely during the treatment. This includes screening for other oral conditions such as oral cancer. Your dentist will also evaluate any risks connected with periodontitis and easily look for signs of diabetes and kidney diseases.
What It Involves
Your dentist will carry out the treatment during your regular visits itself. It doesn’t require any general anesthesia unless you suffer from a case of severe periodontal disease. General anesthetics may be used in that case to ensure that the patient is relaxed and calm. Many times, the dentist may also place an unusual tube down your throat to protect your lungs from any escaped bacteria that might come out of your mouth during the treatment.
Periodontal maintenance is a boon that helps you get rid of the periodontal disease completely and get a healthy mouth free from any bacteria. You should consult a dentist regularly to help in diagnosing any conditions you may suffer from. Your dentist will guide you through the periodontal gum cleaning and help you get a fresh breath, sparkling teeth, and boost your oral health.
