Please Select... Patient Information Scheduling Insurance Financial Information Patient Testimonials Educational Links Patient Education Center Patient Newsletter Periodontal Disease Dental Implants Custom Nutrition Programs Meet Dr. Farber Meet Our Staff Contact Us Search Dentistry.com Hauppauge Office Medford Office Patient Information Periodontal Diseases and Their Prevention Periodontal diseases are infections of the gums, which gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. There are numerous disease entities requiring different treatment approaches. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent most periodontal conditions. Why is oral hygiene so important? Adults past the age of 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases, (Periodontal Disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and Periodontal Diseases is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily. Periodontal Disease and Decay are both caused by Bacterial Plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gumline. Plaque constantly germs on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent Periodontal Disease. Periodontal diseases can be accelerated by a number of different factors. However, it is mainly caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque, a sticky colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not carefully removed by daily brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar). What is Periodontal Disease? The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal (gum) diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss. There are numerous disease entities requiring different treatment approaches. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Daily brushing and flossing will prevent most periodontal conditions. Other factors that can affect the health of your gums include: Smoking/Tobacco Use Pregnancy and Puberty Stress Medications Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth Diabetes Poor Nutrition Other Systemic Diseases Why is oral hygiene so important? Past the age of 35 adults lose more teeth to gum diseases, (Periodontal Disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and Periodontal Diseases is by good toothbrushing and flossing techniques, performed daily. Periodontal Disease and Decay are both caused by Bacterial Plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gumline. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent Periodontal Disease. Periodontics Presentation To provide you with a better understanding of periodontics, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to periodontics are discussed. Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 7 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download. Periodontal Disease: What you should know Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is one of the most common infections today. More than 75% of North Americans over 35 years of age have some form of periodontal disease. Although many are infected, few know they actually have the disease. In a recent study, 8 out of 10 people surveyed believed they did not have periodontal disease, 7 out of 10 exhibited one or more symptoms. Periodontal diseases are painless until they reach an advanced stage. If left untreated, periodontal diseases can result in: tooth loss red, swollen and bleeding gums bad breath In fact, periodontal diseases are the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Despite all these facts, periodontal diseases are some of the most preventable diseases. What can cause gum disease? The main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, daily cleaning is required in the form of brushing and flossing. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. Toxins (or poisons) produced by the bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums. The toxins destroy supporting tissues around the teeth. Gums then pull away from the teeth, forming pockets which then fill up with more plaque. As gum disease progresses, the pockets continue to become deeper and deeper. Consequently, plaque continues to move further down the roots of the teeth damaging the bone which support them. Unless treated, the affected teeth can become loose and eventually may be lost. Who is A Periodontist? A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. A periodontist can also plan, place and maintain dental implants. Periodontics is one of the 8 specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. About 75% of the North American population will have some form of periodontal disease, known as gum disease. It is important to note that periodontal disease is usually painless and can go undetected until it's too late. If left untreated, gum disease can destroy the bone and tissue surrounding the teeth, causing them to become loose. Also, gum disease can result in bad breath and may even change the appearance of your smile. If the disease progresses, you can lose your teeth. Why should I see a periodontist? Your periodontal disease may progress to the point where only a periodontist may be able to help you. Periodontists receive extensive training, including 3 additional years beyond dental school, in order to learn state-of-the-art techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases. Dr.Farber continues to take hours of continuing educational courses per year to stay abreast of the newest techniques in dentistry, dental implants and periodontal treatment. If you are missing one or more teeth, and are considering dental implants, Dr. Farber can also help you decide if they are right for you. A Periodontist also performs periodontal plastic surgery which can improve your gum appearance and smile. Periodontists are also specialists in detecting oral cancers. What are the benefits of seeing a periodontist? Besides fresh breath, a renewed confidence in your smile, restored oral health and a new sense of health and vitality, you'll be able to chew your food more easily and enjoy foods you avoided because they were too difficult to eat. With help from Dr. Farber, plus your own dedication to good oral health, you no longer have to accept tooth loss as part of getting older and should keep your teeth for a lifetime. How can I be tested for periodontal disease? You should request a thorough periodontal examination at your next dental visit. During this exam, your gums will be inspected for color and firmness. Your teeth will be tested for looseness and checked for the way they fit together when you bite. In addition, x-rays may be taken to evaluate the bone supporting your teeth. A technique called periodontal probing is the cornerstone of testing for periodontal disease. In this procedure, a small measuring instrument is gently placed between your tooth and gum to measure the depth of the pocket. Periodontal probing should be part of every complete dental examination. Ask your dentist and hygienist to show and explain to you the complete charting at the end of every recall appointment! Warning signs of gum disease: bleeding gums during tooth brushing and flossing red, swollen or tender gums gums that have pulled away from the teeth persistent bad breath pus between the teeth and gums loose or separated teeth a change the way your teeth fit together when you bite What else can contribute to periodontal disease? 1. Smoking Tobacco Use As you probably know, the use of tobacco has been linked to many serious illnesses such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease. What you may not know, however, is that tobacco users have a six times or more greater risk of periodontal disease than non-users. In fact, studies show that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. How tobacco affects your Oral Health Whether you smoke, dip or chew tobacco, you have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease -and you will have it more severely- than someone who does not use tobacco products. As a smoker, you are more likely to have tartar, staining and deeper pockets between your teeth and gums. As a result, your gums may pull away from your teeth, causing deeper pockets and bone destruction. Without the support of bone, teeth may become loose, painful and even fall out. Research shows that smokers lose more teeth than nonsmokers! Research also shows that users of tobacco products are more likely to have any or all of the following: oral cancer bad breath (halitosis) stained teeth tooth loss bone loss loss of taste and smell gum recession mouth sores less success with periodontal treatment less success with dental implants Smoking is by far the most significant factor predisposing to implant failure. Heavy smokers have 3 to 4 times the risk of implant failure as non-smokers. 2. Pregnancy and Puberty Hormonal changes can cause the gums to become red and tender and bleed more easily. This may worsen any pre-existing periodontal disease. Recent studies suggest Periodontal Disease can lead to pre-term low birth weight. Your periodontist will be able to help prevent gum disease during pregnancy or puberty. 3. Stress Stress can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections, including periodontal disease. Recent studies confirm the association between stress and periodontal disease. If you lead a stressful life, see a periodontist. 4. Medications Some drugs such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants and certain heart medications, can affect oral health. You should always inform our office of the medicines you are taking and any changes to your health history. 5. Diabetes People with uncontrolled diabetes may have more severe periodontal disease. In addition, untreated periodontal disease can make it tougher for uncontrolled diabetics to keep their diabetes under control. If you are a diabetic Dr. Farber and his team can help keep your gums healthy and possibly help you keep your diabetes under better control. 6. Systemic disease Diseases that interfere with the body's immune system may worsen the condition of the gums. If you suffer from an uncontrolled systemic disease such as osteoporosis, diabetes, immune system deficiency or others, seeing Dr. Farber can help you avoid gum disease. Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease: The Link Risks for heart disease include smoking, high cholesterol, being overweight and having high blood pressure or hypertension. Today, there is evidence mounting that shows periodontal disease may increase your risk for heart disease as well. Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart when they enter the blood circulation, attaching to fat plaques in the arteries of the heart. This may contribute to clot formation. These blood clots can cut off normal flow of nutrients and oxygen required for proper heart function. In turn, this may lead to a heart attack. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease. Women and Periodontal Disease As a woman, you have unique health care needs. These needs change with your body during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Therefore, you need to take special care of yourself or ask the advice from a health care professional. Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life can affect many tissues, such as the gums. These changes may increase a woman's susceptibility to periodontal disease and may necessitate for you to take special care of your oral health. Menstruation Gingivitis The production of a young woman's progesterone and estrogen levels increase with maturity. With these elevated hormone levels, there may be an increase in gum sensitivity accompanied by increased irritation due to food and plaque particles. The gums may become swollen, turn red, and may even feel tender to touch. In addition, there may be bleeding and sores on the inside of the cheek. Some women may experience these symptoms approximately 4 days prior to their period. Menstruation gingivitis may occur right before a woman's period and clears up once her period has started. During this time, it is very important to maintain oral health both at home and with regular dental visits. Pregnancy Gingivitis This condition may begin in the second and third month of pregnancy and may increase in severity in the eighth month. There may be notable swelling, tenderness, redness and bleeding of the gums. In some cases, gums swollen by pregnancy gingivitis may react with irritants and form large bumps called pregnancy tumors. These are not cancerous and are generally painless! Pre-Term Low Weight Babies If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, then you need to know that periodontal health can affect the health of your baby. Studies show that any infection during pregnancy, such as gum disease, is cause for concern. Periodontal disease during pregnancy may place you at higher risk of delivering a premature, low birthweight baby. Don't take the risk. Include periodontal health in your pre-natal care. Oral Contraceptive and Gingivitis Synthetic hormones in oral contraceptives are designed to mimic pregnancy and may cause your gums to turn red, bleed and swell. By including personal and professional care into your life, you ensure the health of your gums and supporting tissues of your teeth for a lifetime Menopausal Gingivostomatitis Women who are menopausal or post-menopausal may notice a change in the way their mouths look and feel. There may be burning sensation in the gum tissues as well as altered taste sensation. Estrogen supplements help to relieve these symptoms. Also, saliva substitutes help lessen the effects of "dry" mouth. During this period of a woman's life, diligent home care and regular professional cleanings are essential to maintain oral health and comfort. Dr. Farber will be happy to give you additional information about women and periodontal disease. You may also wish to visit The American Academy of Periodontology’s Web site at www.perio. org. Periodontal Surgery: What you can expect? Why Do I Need Periodontal Surgery? If Dr. Farber has determined that the tissues around your teeth are unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical therapy, then periodontal surgery is the treatment of choice. Studies show that periodontal surgery is extremely effective in eliminating periodontal pockets and irradicating periodontal disease. What about healing time? If you follow Dr. Farber's instructions, you can generally expect to enjoy your normal routine within a few days. Talk with Dr. Farber about any special post-operative considerations you may have, such as exercise, diet or post-surgical medications. This should help minimize any disruptions to your daily activities. What types of treatment are available? The type of gum treatment you receive very much depends on the stage in which it is caught. If Dr. Farber makes the diagnosis in the early stage of disease, proper brushing and flossing along with scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) may be all that is required. If, on the other hand, the disease is more advanced, you may require further treatment. What is Scaling and Root planing? Scaling and root planing is the non-surgical technique that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline using specially designed instruments. For detailed information regarding this procedure, please click here. Symptoms of periodontal disease: red, swollen, bleeding gum bad breath tooth sensitivity You may not realize that persistent swollen, red or bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity and bad breath are warning signs of periodontal disease -- a serious infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. So don't let periodontal disease take away your smile. If you have one or more of these symptoms, don't put off treatment. See a periodontist right away -- and help save your natural teeth. For more information about periodontal disease and Long Island Periodontal Professionals -- experts in the diagnosis and treatment of gum and periodontal diseases -- call (631) 242-5660, 758-3700, or 265-4442. >back to top Overview | Scheduling | Insurance Financial Info | Testimonials | Educational Links Patient Education Center | Periodontal Disease Dental Implants | Custom Nutrition Programs Meet Dr. Farber l Meet the Staff © 2001 Long Island Periodontal Professionals. All rights reserved. Disclaimers apply. Send Questions or comments to info@longislandperio.com.