Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an infection of the supporting tissues of the teeth. Periodontal disease can lead to bone loss and eventual loss of teeth.
Periodontal disease is caused by a bacterial infection and your body’s response to that infection. Other factors that put you at increased risk for gum disease include: family history, medications, smoking, diabetes, osteoporosis, clenching or grinding of the teeth, and defective dental work.
There are several warning signs that you have periodontal disease: gums that bleed easily, red or swollen gums, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, persistent bad breath or bad taste, loose teeth, or any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
But it is also possible to have periodontal disease even though you don’t have any warning signs. That is why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Good oral hygiene at home is also essential to help prevent periodontal disease.
 |
 |
Unhealthy gum tissue before soft tissue treatment. |
Healthier gum tissue after soft tissue treatment. |
| |
 |
 |
Gum disease |
Healthy gums |
Periodontal Therapy – Soft Tissue Management
In our Suffolk County, Long Island dental office we use a non-surgical approach to treating periodontal disease. Our Soft Tissue Management program is an individualized plan to help eliminate infection of the gums and root surfaces. With our non-surgical scaling and root planing procedures we help eliminate infection in the pockets below the gumline. Root planning focuses on eliminating tartar and plaque below the gum where disease occurs as opposed to a routine prophy (cleaning) which cleans the teeth above the gumline in a generally healthy mouth. The goal of Soft Tissue Management is healthy reattachment of the gums to the root surfaces.
What do we hope to accomplish with Soft Tissue Management?
• Gums that do not bleed. Healthy gums do not bleed.
• Fresher breath and taste
• Gums that are not red, swollen, or tender
• Reduction of pocket depths
• Control of Periodontal Disease
What do we ask of our patients to make this treatment a success?
• Completion of the periodontal therapy prescribed by our office
• Thoroughly cleaning all tooth surfaces 2 times a day
• Maintenance of regular recare visits
Whoopi Goldberg talks about Gum Disease:
