periodontal disease

Description

Gum disease is a common condition that often goes unnoticed until it starts causing problems. During your routine dental checkups, we'll look for signs of the condition, like bleeding and periodontal pockets. As periodontal disease progresses, it can cause widespread oral and overall health problems. We can treat the condition using dental lasers in a gentle procedure that eliminates bacteria and encourages your gums to reattach to your teeth.

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00:00:00.067 --> 00:00:02.469 Gum disease is one of the more common things 00:00:02.603 --> 00:00:05.672 that occurs with all of us. 00:00:06.139 --> 00:00:09.176 Unfortunately, it's something that 00:00:09.343 --> 00:00:11.678 many people may not be aware is happening, 00:00:11.979 --> 00:00:14.715 because it's not typically a painful process, 00:00:14.848 --> 00:00:16.517 at least until the later stages. 00:00:16.683 --> 00:00:18.785 That's why it's important to come in often 00:00:18.886 --> 00:00:20.621 so we can keep an eye on things. 00:00:20.754 --> 00:00:23.557 We monitor the gums around your teeth. 00:00:23.724 --> 00:00:26.159 We measure them for, what we call, pocket levels, 00:00:26.226 --> 00:00:29.563 as well as indicators such as bleeding. 00:00:30.430 --> 00:00:34.201 If a person ever notices any bleeding when they're flossing or brushing, 00:00:34.334 --> 00:00:36.403 that can be an indication that you could have 00:00:36.470 --> 00:00:40.307 the beginning stages of gum disease, which we call gingivitis. 00:00:40.541 --> 00:00:42.376 Over the last 25 years or so, 00:00:42.442 --> 00:00:45.579 there's been many studies that have come out 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:47.548 to show the importance of gum health, 00:00:47.614 --> 00:00:52.286 that have shown to be strongly related to increase chance of stroke, heart attack, 00:00:52.419 --> 00:00:58.192 and many other very important systemic conditions for our health. 00:00:58.258 --> 00:00:59.893 Many times, we'll provide, 00:01:00.534 --> 00:01:02.334 we call, laser bacterial reduction. 00:01:02.667 --> 00:01:06.200 We use a laser, and it instantly kills the bacteria 00:01:06.334 --> 00:01:09.634 in the pockets around your teeth to give us a fresh start 00:01:09.901 --> 00:01:13.834 so that by the time we do your routine cleaning, 00:01:14.641 --> 00:01:16.610 do the laser bacterial reduction 00:01:16.710 --> 00:01:21.048 and encourage and ask that you keep up with it at home, 00:01:21.181 --> 00:01:25.452 you should see a dramatic change, usually within a week, 00:01:25.619 --> 00:01:27.120 a reduction of bleeding, 00:01:27.187 --> 00:01:30.624 and therefore, halting the process of the gum disease. 00:01:31.191 --> 00:01:34.728 Most cases of gum disease, we treat here non-surgically, 00:01:34.828 --> 00:01:36.396 which is very nice for patients. 00:01:36.463 --> 00:01:40.567 If a person has been diagnosed and treated with periodontal disease, 00:01:41.034 --> 00:01:42.469 AKA, gum disease, 00:01:42.636 --> 00:01:45.005 it's important that they come to see the dentist more often 00:01:45.072 --> 00:01:47.407 than other patients. 00:01:47.474 --> 00:01:50.077 We tend to see those patients every 3–4 months 00:01:50.944 --> 00:01:53.580 to make sure that we are maintaining things well 00:01:53.714 --> 00:01:57.584 and aren't seeing any signs of active issues or active gum disease.

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