Periodontal Care
Madison, WI
The need for extensive and complex treatments in the future is eliminated through early treatment and oral health administration. Preventive dentistry stresses the importance of enhanced oral hygiene and frequent appointments to ensure your oral cavity's health.
Periodontal care is a branch of preventive dentistry whose aims are to prevent, diagnose, and treat gum diseases. Madison Family Dental Associates understands the importance of regularly caring for your gums, which is why we recommend getting your dental exams routinely done.
Periodontal Diseases
There is a wide variety of periodontal diseases, each with its own set of differentiating characteristics, some chronic while others acute. The general classification of periodontal diseases includes gingivitis. This is a type of plaque that has inflammation, leading to bleeding gums when brushing or flossing. Aggressive periodontitis is seen prevalent in young ones, and often there is a family history accompanying it.
Additionally, there is Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG). In this gum disease, there is the presence of painful ulcers on the papillae. The presence of grey necrotic tissue also characterizes it. Lastly, there is a periodontal abscess. In this condition, there is a deep infection of the gum socket from which pus oozes out.
The development of periodontal diseases is not just limited to poor oral hygiene. There is an increased risk of developing gum diseases in patients who have diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes aggravates symptoms and signs of gingivitis and periodontitis. Moreover, it has adverse effects on recovery, making it more challenging to treat these cases.
Screening for Periodontal Diseases
A routine examination is done to screen of periodontal diseases. There is a complete periodontal charting done annually to evaluate oral gum health. The most common step in screening involves probing the gum tissues.
The probing exam is done to assess the presence of bleeding upon probing. Moreover, the probing is done to evaluate the amount of plaque and calculus deposits. The force applied to examine is minimal.
Bleeding upon probing is a sign indicating the presence of plaque. This response is usually suppressed in smokers. The bleeding occurs following the inflammation of periodontal tissue. Bleeding upon probing of different parts gives clues regarding the type of periodontal disease you may have, along with its severity.
General or Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) is a simple tool for quick screening in adults. This examination serves to provide a guideline for the need for further testing and evaluation. During BPE, a special probe different from the probe used to test for bleeding is used. This probe is moved alongside the gingival margins.
Additionally, a full examination also involves recording for any lose teeth as it can be a sign of gum disease, which affects the link between the soft and hard tissue. In the end, a full examination is not only useful for screening but also serves as a diagnosing and treatment evaluating tool.
Before any screening, a background check will take place. Our dentist will ask you about any present complaints or concerns you may have, and scoring will be made accordingly to label the severity of gum damage or diseases you may have. Taking care of your gums is as important as taking care of your teeth.
To get your periodontal screening done book an appointment by calling at 608-274-5970 or visit Madison Family Dental Associates. |
