Periodontal Disease
Aesthetic Nurse Anna Clarke RN
Dental Hygienist Alison Thompson EDT
Information for Dental Practitioners
Video - What is Periodontal Disease?
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| What causes Gum Disease? Gum (periodontal) disease is on infection caused by bacteria. In about a days time. mouth bacteria multiply and form a sticky. almost invisible film on the teeth called plaque. Plaque that is not removed by regular brushing and flossing can harden into calculus (tartar). In some cases the plaque and calculus cause the gums to become red and inflamed and may bleed on brushing. This condition is called gingivitis. Over time, toxins (poisons) in plaque con cause the tooth supporting tissue and bone to be destroyed (bone loss). forming a hidden pocket between the tooth and the gum. Your dentist and hygienist will use a periodontal probe to measure the depth of this hidden pocket. The depth of this hidden pocket is termed "pocket depth" is the main indicator for the presence of gum disease. |
Healthy gums Coral pink gums Gums hug teeth tightly No bleeding Pockets 1-3 mm deep |
| Do you have Gum Disease? If left untreated gum (periodontal) disease can lead to bleeding, discomfort. receding gums and tooth loss. More than 50% of people in the UK 30 years and older have some gingivitis and more than a third have signs of periodontitis. Gum disease affects 3 out of 4 people at some point in life. Dental research has recently linked gum disease to an increased rate of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and preterm and low birth weight babies. The Florida Probe has been designed as a high tech instrument used in the war against gum disease. Speak with your dentist about routine periodontal probing. maintenance of deep pockets and ways to improve your home care. Remember that early diagnosis is the key to maintaining your oral health and preventing serious systemic problems. We are using the latest in computer technology to provide our patients with optimal dental care. We now offer a new diagnostic service to check for gum disease called the "Florida Probe". This computerized Periodontal check-up offers an accurate and objective assessment of the progression of gum disease which assists us in providing a diagnosis at the earliest possible stage. This offers our patients more options for treatment and can assist in preventing the damaging effects from this disease. When leaving our office with your periodontal chart you will have a clear and detailed picture of your periodontal health. Future visits will allow us to accurately monitor and track your progress to help protect your beautiful smile for a lifetime. |
Gingivitis Gums become red and swollen Some halitosis may be present This stage is not always obvious Periodontal Disease  Pocket form as gum separates from teeth Pockets deepen as more bone supporting the teeth is lost Pockets 4-10mm deep |
| The Florida Probe The incredible level of detail The software can tell us not only what areas are currently suffering but will also assess brushing and flossing or interdental cleaning efficiency. That way we can accurately see which oral hygiene techniques are working, and which are not. Assessment If you have had your periodontal disease assessed before you may remember a small probe gently pressed against the side of the gum to measure the pocketing. The diagnostic process for the Florida Probe is essentially the same, except that the probe will also record the presence of the gum level, plaque and bleeding. It is about 50% more accurate than probing by hand. Precise, Targeted care where it is needed most The software will automatically flag up any areas that are not responding to therapy. It will tell us why and then we can target our care more towards those non responsive areas. |
Example print outs  Unparalled level of information  Brushing and Flossing efficiency chart |