We Are Now GBT Certified!
We can now comfortably remove biofilm in 4 to 9 mm pockets; more importantly, a specific slimmer nozzle is available to do the work; this means you barely feel it. Your appointments are so much easier for you. You will discuss with your hygienist the best way to approach your gum treatment in terms of your appointment. Remember, with the GBT system, we are truly eliminating the bacteria in your gums. GBT is indispensable for pre-treatment, post-operative care, and lifelong maintenance of implants.
What Is Gum Disease?
We know that if gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to very serious health problems. Periodontal disease is an indication of many other serious health issues, such as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, premature births, low birth weight, and more.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease begins with gum irritation, clinically known as gingivitis. This occurs when a person’s home hygiene is not enough, and plaque starts to make its way under the gums. This irritates your gums. Plaque is a film that forms on the teeth throughout the day, made up of bacteria, bacterial waste products, food residue, and saliva. When you brush and floss your teeth, you remove the plaque. Then it starts to rebuild, only to be removed again when you brush your teeth again at night. If your home care is not done correctly or is not done twice daily, plaque can develop beneath the gum line, which is very irritating to your gums.
What Are The Signs Of Gum Disease?
If gum disease is addressed at its early stages, it can be reversed. You must keep up with your recommended professional dental cleaning and examinations with your dentist. Dr. Slepchik and your hygienist may recommend root scaling or deep cleanings after your hygiene assessment. They may recommend a series of appointments to improve the health of your tissue.
However, if you ignore the bleeding gums and if you don’t properly brush and floss, the plaque will not go away by itself. If left in place, the plaque hardens into tartar, causing more persistent irritation. As the tartar pushes farther under the gums, the gums pull away in reaction. This creates “periodontal pockets,” perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Now, you have full-blown periodontal disease.
What Are The Symptoms Of Periodontal Disease?
In the beginning stages, many patients are not aware that they have periodontal disease. This is because there are usually no symptoms or pain. Gum disease varies from minor in its early stages to severe when diagnosed at a later date.
Gum disease gives you warning signs as it is developing. You may see the following:
- Gums that bleed when brushing your teeth (if you see blood in the sink when you are rinsing your mouth, you should phone your dentist for an appointment immediately)
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Receding gums
- Deep pockets between the teeth and the gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in your bite
If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to see a dentist! After an initial cleaning and scaling with your hygienist, you may need further gum treatment to keep the periodontal disease from advancing. The end result of severe gum disease is complete tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and dentures.
How Can Gum Disease Be Controlled?
Early periodontal disease can be controlled if treated early and followed up with frequent maintenance visits to eliminate the bacteria-causing disease. Severe periodontal disease can also be treated but is much less predictable and may cause tooth loss. Eventually, you may possibly need tooth replacement.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Gum Treatment With Dr. Slepchik?
To be considered a good candidate for gum treatment, you should be in good general health and show symptoms of periodontal disease.
How Does The Gum Treatment Work?
Your hygienist will freeze each area or side of your mouth. You are able to return to work with no problem. The freezing wears off quickly. In some cases, when a patient is either overly sensitive or extremely anxious, Dr. Slepchik will use our gentle automated freezing system to completely freeze the whole area. You can resume your regular activities immediately after the appointment.
What Is A Deep Cleaning And How Does It Control Gum Disease?
Your deep cleaning appointment involves removing plaque and tartar while having an anesthetic to make sure you are comfortable. Usually, it takes from three to five visits, and during each appointment, the deep cleaning is done for one-quarter of the mouth. You may choose to do one complete side of the mouth at a time in one appointment. This means you will be here for two hours; one hour of time is needed for 1/4 of the mouth. This allows your hygienist to take their time and go at a slower pace so that you are comfortable. If you need a break during this appointment, please let us know.
This treatment is the easiest and simplest approach to control periodontal disease. It is a non-surgical procedure that will prevent more aggressive treatment in the future while helping you maintain your dental health. This treatment, along with a 3-month dental cleaning, will keep the levels of the disease-causing bacteria under control. This prevents further harm to your gum tissue and the supporting bone area. We have seen excellent results in many of our patients. It is also highly likely you will avoid more complicated and costly surgical procedures.
Will Periodontal Disease Return After Treatment?
Once bacteria have invaded the gum tissue and the connective tissue holding your teeth in place, you’ll need to be extra vigilant in your home care. You must watch for signs of renewed gum inflammation. Our deep cleanings and other gum treatments are very effective in treating this problem. Be sure to keep to your recommended dental cleaning schedule. We may ask to see you every three months. That way Dr. Slepchik, along with your hygienist, can check to verify that your periodontal disease remains controlled.
Gum Disease Treatment Before & After
How Do I Maintain My Results After Gum Treatment?
As mentioned above, it’s likely that you had the early gum disease primarily because of poor home hygiene. It is possible to reverse it. You can easily keep your gums and teeth in great shape with a consistent home hygiene program.
This is what you must do:
- Brush twice daily using a toothpaste approved by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). This toothpaste should have fluoride in it. Brush for two minutes. This can seem like an eternity if you’ve been a quick brusher, but it is the time you need to fully clean all your teeth, your gum line where the teeth and gums meet, your tongue, and the roof of your mouth. We recommend purchasing a CDA-approved electric toothbrush. This provides a more thorough cleaning. Some of them even have timers to tell you when you’ve brushed for two minutes.
- Floss once a day. Flossing is essential in breaking up the plaque and food caught in between the teeth under the gum line. Take 18 inches of floss, wrap it around both index fingers, then move up and down the sides of each tooth, taking the floss slightly under the gums.
- Use mouthwash. Today, there are a variety of CDA-approved mouthwashes that help kill bacteria. Some have active ingredients to specifically help with gum disease. Use these twice a day after brushing your teeth.
What Do I Need To Do After Gum Treatment?
That depends on the procedures that were necessary. For instance, if you had a deep cleaning appointment, also known as root scaling and root planing, we simply remove tartar and plaque from under your gum line and then smooth the surface to help the gums attach back to the root surface. This doesn’t require any post-treatment care other than better home hygiene moving forward.
Other more involved procedures, such as soft tissue grafting or flap surgery, require more attentive care during recovery to be sure to keep the infection from returning.
We’ll explain what you need to do in detail after your appointment, as we will need your help if your mouth is to return to good health again.
Schedule A Consultation
For more information about our gum treatment services, contact Dr. Slepchik’s office in downtown Montréal at 514-875-7971, or email us reception@smilesbydrslepchik.com.
Dr. Slepchik is an experienced general and cosmetic dentist in downtown Montreal. We welcome new and returning patients to our practice.
We are located next to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, across from Place Ville Marie. Metro McGill or Metro Bonaventure.