CONDITIONS OF THE PERIODONTIUM: There are seven different “cleanings” that a dentist prescribed once the conditions of the mouth are evaluated: debridement, prophylaxis, gingival therapy, deep cleaning of 1-3 teeth per quadrant, deep cleaning of 4-6 teeth per quadrant, open flap debridement, and periodontal maintenance. With the advancements of medical research and clinical proficiencies, your dental team may recommend laser treatment, local application of antibiotics, prescription mouth rinse, or other OTC product recommendations. The normal dental cleaning is called a dental prophylaxis, often referred to as a “prophy”. Prophylaxis stems from the Greek word, phylax, meaning to preserve health or prevent the spread of disease. Healthy gums? No problem. This professional cleaning is performed in the absence of disease by a dental hygienist or dentist. The goal is to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. However, in the presence of disease, our responsibility as your oral health ambassador is to have a proper diagnosis of your gingival health in order to prescribe the correct treatment. These are non-negotiable standards in dentistry. Anything beyond a dental prophylaxis is no longer considered a “cleaning” at Healing Tooth. In the presence of disease, “treatment” is recommended. Problem: Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. It can cause redness, soreness, bleeding, and swelling of the gums. Treatment: Gingival Therapy which is scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation. This therapeutic service removes dental biofilm (plaque and calculus) to promote tissue healing. Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend laser bacterial reduction depending on the amount of bleeding during the treatment. Problem: Periodontal disease is the inflammation or infection of the periodontium – which includes the tissue that supports the teeth leading to bone loss. Periodontal tissue includes the gums, the tissue that holds the teeth in place (ligaments), and the tooth socket (alveolar bone). The 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions resulted in a new classification of periodontitis characterized by a multidimensional staging and grading system. This standard has been adopted by the American Academy of Periodontology and is within our Standard of Dental Health Agreement at Healing Tooth. Periodontal disease is a multifactorial disease process which includes bacteria, occlusion, and ability to maintain proper at-home oral hygiene. Periodontal disease and severe gingivitis act as a harbor for harmful bacteria. Your natural oral flora evolves into a harmful environment. This has far greater implications other than infections in your oral cavity. When the periodontal bacteria enter your bloodstream (bacteremia), it has lasting effects on your systemic health. Periodontal disease has been heavily studied and reviewed to have a link to various system health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment: The gold standard of treating periodontal disease is scaling and root planing; commonly referred to as a “deep cleaning”. Periodontal disease is classified as a chronic disease. Thus, a patient with periodontitis will get their “cleanings” also known as Periodontal Maintenance disinfection once every 3-4 months depending on severity. Once again, “cleanings” is a misnomer as there is active treatment of the conditions found in the mouth. The bacteria that worsen periodontal conditions evolve over time. There are approximately 15 early colonizing bacteria and 12 middle colonizing bacteria; these are different bacteria than those that cause dental decay. It is, however, the RED COMPLEX of bacteria that is most harmful to the periodontium: P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola. These bacteria thrive in the absence of oxygen and each have unique characteristics and shapes. While the bacteria can be transmitted, it doesn’t automatically mean that the recipient will develop periodontal disease. Factors like genetic predisposition, oral hygiene habits, and overall health also play an essential role. Schedule now for your dental cleaning or dental disinfection at Healing Tooth, Austin, Texas 78752. A dental office near you.