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Our
hygiene department is ready to welcome you and
keep you healthy for a lifetime.
Periodontal
Diseases are the leading cause of tooth
loss in adults. They are well recognized by
the dental profession, and increasingly by the
public, to be a significant health problem.
Fortunately, with early detection and treatment,
it is now possible for most people to retain
their teeth for a lifetime. To achieve this
careful periodic examination of the gums and
surrounding tissues is necessary.
Because
periodontal disease is the number one cause
of tooth loss in adults, early detection
means early treatment for healthier gums.
Q:
What is a cleaning? Are all cleanings the same?
A:
Cleanings are dental procedures performed
by the hygienist to prevent and or offer treatment
for periodontal diseases.
Not
all cleanings are the same. Some cleaning
procedures are done in the healthy patient
to prevent periodontal disease as part of their
continuing care programs. These are called prophylaxis.
They are normally referred to as simple cleanings.
Prophylaxis is done in the absence of disease
on the healthy patient as a preventive procedure.
Some
cleaning procedures are done in patients who
are already suffering from the initial stages
of periodontal disease. Patients with Type
I Periodontal Disease or Gingivitis will
receive actual treatment for the present condition.
There is nothing to prevent, the disease is
there and needs to be treated. Many patients
refer to these as deep cleanings or periodontal
cleanings. They are actually part of the
treatment protocol for the management of Type
I Periodontal Disease.
Once
your diagnosis is above a Type I Periodontal
Disease, we look into more involved periodontal
treatment, see our section on periodontal services.
Q:
How do I know I have Gingivitis?
A:
The cardinal sign of periodontal disease is
bleeding upon probing. If your gums bleed
when you brush or floss, or bleeding is observed
during a dental examination with a probe, you
have at least Gingivitis.
Healthy
gums will not bleed when probed, they won't
bleed either when you brush or floss.
What
is Halitosis?
Halitosis
(Bad Breath) Management
Q:
I've tried over-the-counter mouthwashes and
I brush my teeth twice a day. But I still seem
to always have bad breath. Is there anything
I can do?
 A:
An estimated 65 percent of Americans are
estimated to have bad breath. Over 40 million
Americans suffer from a breath problems that
won't go away, a condition known as Chronic
Halitosis. Ninety percent of all halitosis is
oral and not systemic in origin. There is effective
treatment for these patients. If you have problems
with bad breath let us help you. We have already
helped many patients overcome what can be a
very embarrassing situation!
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