Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/398083
PERIODONTAL DISEASE: KEEP YOUR GUMS HEALTHY Get straight to the point with this succinct brochure on periodontal disease. It lets patients know that they can have perio disease with no clear symptoms and that disease can lead to tooth loss. Includes prevention tips, warning signs and treatments. With photos of healthy gums vs. periodontitis, plus new probing illustrations. PERSONALIZE IT #DAB067 See page 48 W107 6 panels 50 per pack QTY MEMBER RETAIL 50 $26.00 $39.00 100 $45.50 $68.25 500 $192.00 $288.00 1,000 $325.00 $487.50 GUM RECESSION: CAUSES AND TREATMENTS Whether recession is caused by abrasion or disease, this brochure is a valuable resource. Describes the causes of recession and that it can lead to sensitivity and decay. Showing photos of recession, it explains that treatment depends on the cause. Demonstrates tissue grafting with before-and-after photos, along with post-procedure care considerations. W512 6 panels 50 per pack QTY MEMBER RETAIL 50 $26.00 $39.00 100 $45.50 $68.25 500 $192.00 $288.00 1,000 $325.00 $487.50 GUM DISEASE QUICK REFERENCE CARD Get the most essential facts about periodontal disease on one quick-reference card. It outlines the stages of perio with text and photos. Lists the warning signs and states that periodontal disease is an infection that can lead to loss of supporting bone. Use the blank lines on the back to add your own message. W259 100 per pack QTY MEMBER RETAIL 100 $29.00 $43.50 500 $123.00 $184.50 1,000 $203.00 $304.50 Continued on back Gum Disease I PERIODONTAL Quick Reference Periodontal (gum) disease is a common problem that can lead to tooth loss. The disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth. If plaque is not removed by daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings, the gums can become infected and inflamed. Over time, the bone that supports teeth may be damaged and teeth may loosen. The mildest form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis (jin-ji-VYE-tis). It can make the gums red and swollen. They may also bleed easily when you brush or floss. The good news is that gingivitis can be undone. Sometimes all it takes is better dental care at home and more frequent professional cleanings. The more advanced form of gum disease is called periodontitis (perry-o-don- TIE-tis). It makes the gum tissues red and inflamed. As the disease gets worse, the gums pull away from the teeth and a space (called a pocket) forms. Plaque bacteria build up in the pocket, and the tissue and bone supporting the tooth are damaged. Without treatment, this disease can cause tooth loss. Healthy gums hug teeth tightly and provide firm support Periodontitis Gingivitis W259 W512 W107 Gum recession can be caused by: • periodontal (gum) disease • brushing your teeth too hard or using a hard- bristled toothbrush • trauma to gum tissues, such as a sports injury • partial dentures that don't fit right • genetics–some people are born with gums that are thin or weak • prominent tooth roots or attachment muscles that can push gums out of place • smoking and using any kind of tobacco Care after treatment If you have a gum graft, your dentist will tell you how to care for your gums. This may include using a special mouthrinse or changing what you eat. A bandage or dressing may be placed over the graft to help it heal. Since gum grafts are a kind of surgery, the area may be tender or sore, and it may swell. Most patients can resume their normal routines the next day. However, you may need to avoid chewing where the surgery was done for some time, up to a week or two. There are other things that can slow down healing. These include clenching or grinding your teeth, diet or nutrition problems, and some medicines or health issues. Be sure to tell your dentist if any of these things apply to you. After your gums have healed from surgery, keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing gently twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Also, be sure to clean between teeth daily with floss or another between-the-teeth cleaner. When teeth are healthy, gum tissue fits around each tooth like a cuff. In a tooth with gum recession, the gum tissue has pulled away from the tooth. This can leave the tooth root exposed. Since the root surface does not have a hard enamel covering like the crown (top) of the tooth, the root may become sensitive to hot and cold. Also, the exposed tooth root is more at risk for decay. Causes • Avoid smoking or using any kind of tobacco. • Do not drink alcohol. • Follow any other instructions from the dental team. The success of the gum graft depends on several things. To help your gums heal after surgery: Treatments The treatment for gum recession depends on the cause. If the gums become unattached from the tooth, it is important to treat gum recession. Otherwise, it may get worse. If gum recession is caused by brushing too hard, your dental office staff can show you a better way to clean your teeth. This will not repair the existing damage, but it will prevent new damage to the gums. If gum recession is caused by periodontal disease, the first step is usually a treatment called scaling and root planing. The dentist removes plaque and tartar from the tooth and root surfaces. This treatment helps gum tissues heal and reattach to the tooth. For many patients, this treatment plus excellent oral care at home and regular dental visits can help control periodontal disease and gum attachment loss. If gum recession is caused by partial dentures that don't fit right, your dentist can adjust or remake them for you. If recession is advanced, a gum graft may be needed. A graft is when a thin piece of gum tissue is taken from another place in the patient's mouth and attached where the gum tissue has receded. Once the graft heals, it covers the exposed tooth root. Grafts may be done around one or more teeth. They protect the tooth root from sensitivity and decay. A graft can also be used to make a smile look better. Gum recession of a crooked tooth exposed tooth root inflamed gum tissue Before gum graft After gum graft exposed tooth roots BRUSH TWICE A DAY FLOSS EVERY DAY Gum Disease I Quick Reference You can have periodontal disease without pain or other clear symptoms. If you notice any of these warning signs, see your dentist: • gums that bleed when you brush or floss • red, swollen, or tender gums • gums that have pulled away from your teeth • bad breath that doesn't go away • pus between your teeth and gums • loose or separating teeth • a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite • a change in the fit of partial dentures You can lower your risk for periodontal disease if you brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, eat a balanced diet and limit snacks, avoid tobacco products, and get regular professional cleanings at your dentist's office. Notes: W259 To order additional copies, call 800.947.4746 or visit adacatalog.org ©2013 American Dental Association All rights reserved. For more information about taking care of your mouth and teeth, visit MouthHealthy.org, the ADA's website just for patients. • Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time. • Clean between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental cleaner. • If you need extra help controlling plaque, your dentist or hygienist may recommend using a germ-fighting toothpaste, mouthrinse or other oral hygiene aids. • Eat a healthy diet for good general and oral health. • Don't use tobacco in any form. • Visit your dentist regularly for an exam and professional cleaning. With regular dental visits, your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease in its early stages. Some people with periodontal disease have few or no warning signs. If you notice any of these signs, see your dentist: • gums that bleed when you brush or floss • red, swollen or tender gums • gums that have pulled away from your teeth • bad breath that doesn't go away • pus between your teeth and gums • loose or separating teeth • a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite • a change in the fit of partial dentures are there treatments for periodontal disease? The mildest form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis (jin-ji-VIE-tis). It makes the gums red and swollen. They also may bleed easily when you brush. The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed. Sometimes all it takes is better oral care at home and more frequent professional cleanings. The more advanced form of the disease is called periodontitis (perry-o-don-TIE-tis). It results in more swelling and redness in the tissues around the teeth. It also causes the tissue and bone to break down. If you have periodontitis, your dentist may suggest a treatment called scaling and root planing. The dentist carefully removes plaque and tartar down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. He or she also smoothes the tooth's root surfaces to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth. This treatment often takes more than one visit. To control infection, sometimes antibiotics can be placed directly in the pocket after scaling and root planing. Your dentist may also prescribe medicines to help control pain or aid healing. All dentists are taught to detect and treat periodontal disease. Sometimes your dentist may refer you to a periodontist. This is a dentist who specializes in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. Periodontal disease will not go away by itself. Preventing and treating the disease in the early stages are the best ways to keep your smile healthy and avoid tooth loss. If you have periodontal disease, follow your dentist's recommendations for treatment and follow-up care. What causes periodontal disease? Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film that is always forming on your teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that produce harmful toxins. If teeth are not cleaned well, the toxins can irritate and inflame the gums. Healthy gum tissue fits like a cuff around each tooth. But inflamed gum tissue can pull away from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. These pockets collect more plaque bacteria. If the infected pockets are not treated, the disease gets worse. The bone and other tissues that support teeth are damaged. Over time, teeth may fall out or need to be removed. You can help prevent tooth loss by cleaning your teeth and gums each day. Plaque is removed by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. If plaque stays on your teeth, it hardens into a rough substance called calculus, or tartar. Tartar can only be removed when teeth are cleaned at the dental office. Normal, healthy gums Periodontal disease How can i tell if i have periodontal disease? How do i keep my gums healthy? How does my dentist check for periodontal disease? The dentist checks for problems by looking at the color and firmness of your gums. He or she also uses a tool called a periodontal probe to gently measure the depth of pockets between your teeth and gums. Very deep pockets are a sign of advanced periodontal disease. During your visit, dental x-rays may be taken to check the amount of bone supporting the teeth. The dentist may also check how your teeth fit together. Periodontal probe of healthy gums. Periodontal probe showing space forming between the tooth root and the gums. Dentists call this a pocket. 6mm 2mm SEE YOUR dEntISt REgUlaRlY O R D E R B Y P H O N E : 8 0 0 . 9 47. 474 6 8 PATIENT EDUC ATION PERIODONTAL DISEASE