Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease

 

Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth Gums are red, swollen or tender Gums have pulled away from teeth Pus between teeth and gums when gums are pressed

Permanent teeth are loose or separating Change in the way your teeth fit when biting Any change in the fit of partial dentures Persistent bad breath or taste in mouth

 

If one or more of these signs apply to you, Dr. Fakler’s non-surgical approach to treatment may help improve your teeth and your life.

 

 

An Article by Dr. James Fakler

Why do 75% to 80% of Americans have gingivitis and periodontal disease?

“People don’t take the time to floss and properly care for their teeth. Time is the operative word. While most individuals care about the health of their teeth and gums, they don’t spend enough time doing so,” said Dr. James Fakler. “People are very speed oriented today,” he said. “They spend only about three minutes a day on dental care. Recent medical studies have shown that periodontal disease is linked to heart disease. It’s not just a patient’s teeth we are concerned about — it’s their lives.”

 

Dr. Fakler has organized a non-surgical system of dental care he believes is beneficial in areas that are often of the most concern to patients: time, pain and money. According to Dr. Fakler, the system is fast, efficient, comfortable and affordable. The non-surgical procedure is available to all patients, from those who have only a mild case of gingivitis to patients with more advanced periodontal disease.

 

Do you have periodontal disease?

If you don’t floss daily then you may well have gum disease in the early stages. Symptoms are bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth and tender or bleeding gums. Treatment for gum disease has changed dramatically over the past few years. “There is a shift away from treating periodontal disease surgically,” Dr. Fakler said. The new non-surgical procedure treats with painless ultrasonics. Hard deposits of tartar and calculus are removed with a high-tech ultrasonic scaler and hand scaling.

 

Dr. Fakler said the treatment program he recommends for patients includes three basic components. The first step is the removal of tartar and calculus with an ultrasonic instrument, the piezo scaler, which can vibrate at a rate of 45,000 times per second. Because of the piezo’s great power, it can be applied with a light touch — only 5 grams of pressure. Dr. Fakler said the procedure is quick and comfortable.

 

The second component in the system is in-office therapy treatment with fluoride and chlorhexadine, medicines that aid in the healing process. The third step is a daily care regimen that patients are taught to use at home. Dr. Fakler said this last step in the process is crucial for dental health. “We have to change their old habits of neglect,” he said.

 

A behavior modification program instructs patients how to care for their teeth and gums with special instruments called Sonicare Toothbrushes . Fakler Dentistry dispenses Sonicare Toothbrushes to their patients. The Sonicare toothbrush provides all-around clean.

 

The curved surface area created by angled radial-trimmed bristles helps maintain contact with the surfaces of the teeth and gums as the brush head pivots, covering a larger surface area without increasing the size of the brush head.

 

Bristles are trimmed in a contoured pattern to fit the natural shape of teeth. The peaks and valleys along the length of the brush head are ergonomically designed to follow teeth topography and fit in between teeth so you're less likely to miss places when you brush.

 

Dr. Fakler’s three-point, non surgical approach to periodontal disease may help patients achieve dental health and maintain it for a lifetime. He also believes in making dental treatment pleasant, convenient and affordable for his patients.