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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Zahra Kavianpour, DDS
Are You At Risk For Periodontal Disease?
Brighter Smile Family Dentistry & Orthodontics
. https://www.sterlingvadentist.com/

Are You At Risk For Periodontal Disease?

This Quick Quiz Can Tell You If You Are At Risk For Periodontal Disease:

  • Do you smoke?
  • Is your diet low in important nutrients?
  • Are you currently taking medications such as heart medications, antidepressants, or oral contraceptives?
  • Do family members have gum disease?
  • Are you under a great deal of stress?
  • Are your gums pulling away from your teeth and receding?
  • Noticed changes in the way your teeth fit together?
  • Do you have diabetes?
  • Are your gums red and swollen?
  • Are you pregnant?
  • Do you have bad breath?
  • Do you grind or clench your teeth?
  • Do your gums bleed when brushing or flossing?
  • Do you have teeth that appear to be loosening?
  • Have you recently lost any teeth?

If you checked off two or more disease indicators you may be at risk for periodontal disease. Please ask your dental professional to measure your gum pockets and check for infection.

Routine Prophylaxis

There is nothing more important to your dental health than maintaining a clean mouth. Prevention or absence of infection optimizes general health. A clean mouth will be disease, infection, and trouble free.  A clean mouth will not be predisposed to developing either decay or periodontal disease.  One of our very important functions in dentistry is to teach you how to properly maintain your teeth and gums, and to regularly remove anything that you are unable to remove yourself.

The theory and practice of preventative dentistry has undergone revolutionary changes in recent years. We know now that preventative needs of every individual differ. The adage of “see your dentist regularly: get your teeth cleaned twice a year” has changed too.

Your Personal Plan

The examination interval that we have recommended for you is designed for your unique situation. And it, too, can change. The interval between regular prophylaxis (cleaning) appointments that is established for you is a function of many things.
These include:

  • General health
  • Dexterity and hand/eye coordination
  • Age
  • Diet
  • Stress levels
  • Oral habits
  • Position and alignment of teeth
  • Number, type, size, and location of restorations
  • Restorative materials used
  • Periodontal history
  • Location of bone and periodontal tissues

Simply stated, the more complex your dental situation and the more your tooth position and alignment deviate from normal, the harder you will find it to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.

Recent studies have identified many of the microorganisms that cause gum disease and decay. They can be controlled with your help and ours.  These studies also show that a “cleaning” every six months may not be adequate for some patients.

In order to prevent destructive oral disease, it may be recommended to have prophylaxis appointments in intervals of anywhere from two months to a year. Periodontal (gum) disease can happen anywhere in your mouth at any time. Make sure you don’t let it happen to you.

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