periodontitis Archives - Atlanta Dental Implants

Deep Cleaning is Too Painful

Posted on November 9, 2021 by writeradmin.

My teeth have never hurt until I had a deep cleaning done two years ago. They are sensitive and painful all the time and the cleaning appointment itself is agony. I regret doing it. I’ve tried to go back just for a regular cleaning, but my teeth just hurt too much. What do I do?

Claire

Dear Claire,

Woman covering her mouth with her hand

I am sorry that you are in so much pain. Your deep cleaning should have been done under a local anesthetic so I’m not certain why it was so painful. I believe I have a solution for you, but first I want to make certain you understand why the deep cleaning was necessary. In general, if a dentist is recommending a deep cleaning, it is because the patient has advanced gum disease and they are trying to get it under control before you start losing your teeth.

When periodontitis (gum disease) is left untreated, your teeth will eventually just fall right out of your mouth. Being proactive now can prevent that. If a gum infection is very active, it can lead to post-operative pain. To help with this, your dentist can provide a course of antibiotics for you during the duration of your treatments.

Now for the solution. I want you to go to a periodontist. They are gum specialists. Look for one who also offers dental sedation. This will allow you to have a pain-free appointment. Let the periodontist know ahead of time what happened during and after your last deep cleaning so he or she can be prepared and take steps to make things better for you.

This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.

Can Superglue Keep my Teeth In?

Posted on September 27, 2019 by writeradmin.

My gums have been hurting and bleeding for a while and now one of them is loose. I’m not sure what is going on. I brush every day. Can I use superglue on the loose tooth to keep it in?

Brent

Dear Brent,

Based on what you’re saying, it sounds like you’re at the cusp of advanced gum disease. This is serious and does mean you can lose your teeth. This is probably what is happening to the tooth which is loose now. Superglue is not a good solution.

While I am sure you brush your teeth, there is more to healthy oral hygiene than just brushing. You need to be regularly flossing and seeing a dentist. Even then, you can do everything right and still develop decay and other problems. Without regular treatment, those will only get worse.

This is beyond basic gum disease and will need the treatment of a periodontist. Without that, the soft tissue will become more diseased and you will lose more bone.

The periodontist will work on stopping the progression of the gum disease. Then, when things are under control, it will be time to build back up the bone structure in your jawbone.

If Your Tooth Can’t be Saved

There’s a chance the tooth can’t be saved. Without treatment, and soon, you’ll lose more teeth. Ideally, after you’ve healed the gum disease, I’d recommend replacing the teeth with dental implants. These are secure tooth replacements which are the closest thing to having natural healthy teeth again.

Both treatments can be done by a good peridontist. Dental implants require surgery for the root form to be implanted into your jawbone. It is a costly treatment, so getting help right away could prevent that.

I’m sure this isn’t at all what you wanted to hear, but it is important. Keeping healthy teeth will affect the rest of your health too. In fact, gum disease is linked with both heart disease and stroke.

This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.

Can you cure Periodontal Disease?

Posted on December 30, 2017 by AllSmiles.

My dentist told me I have gum disease. He gave me a short explanation, but I don’t really understand. Can you cure periodontal disease?

Carol in Atlanta

Hi Carol,

Periodontal disease can be prevented and successfully treated. And while there is currently no “cure,” non-surgical gum treatment and professional periodontal maintenance can help you live without further damage or negative consequences.

Periodontal disease has many stages, and without knowing what stage you are in, it will be difficult to pinpoint you most need to know. But an overview of the progression of the disease and an explanation of current non-surgical treatment and periodontal maintenance should give you an idea of what you might expect.

In general, if you have periodontal disease, it’s a good idea to talk over treatment options with your dentist or to seek out a well-trained and experienced periodontist, who will have the qualifications and equipment to provide the most effective treatment.

Periodontal Disease

Long before periodontal disease causes any damage to our teeth and their surrounding structures, lack of basic dental hygiene like regular brushing and flossing can lead to gingivitis, or infection of the gums. This can easily be treated with a good, professional cleaning and follow-up care.

When plaque is allowed to stay on the teeth and build up, however, it hardens into tartar, which causes inflammation of the gums. The gums withdraw, compromising the tooth root and the surrounding bone structure, as shown in the diagram to the left.

At this point periodontal disease is well established, undermining the health of our teeth and possibly also contributing to other health conditions. At this level, it is called periodontitis, and if left untreated, it will eventually dissolve away so much of the surrounding soft tissue and bone structure that teeth will become loose and fall out. This condition is the reason most adults begin to lose teeth as they age.

Periodontal Treatment

Treatment for periodontitis usually begins with scaling and root planing, a procedure that used to involve surgical techniques and call for a long healing process. Non-surgical periodontal treatment uses advanced instruments like a perioscope and a dental laser. The perioscope is a high-tech camera that allows the periodontist to see the extent of inflammation and damage that has taken place below the gum line. And dental lasers now make it possible to remove damaged soft tissue and bone without surgery, using both heat and water for a painless procedure.

Periodontal Maintenance

Once the initial treatment has been accomplished, you will need to continue with ongoing periodontal maintenance. You will have to have professional periodontal cleanings more than just twice a year, and you’ll need to be much more vigilant with your regular brushing and flossing. But the good news is that once treated and with ongoing maintenance, you can enjoy a health smile for the rest of your life.

Good luck to you in finding the best treatment for your dental health.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Pumphrey of Pumphrey Periodontics in Atlanta.