Preventative Hygiene
It is recommended you receive a scheduled check up and clean every 6 months. More adults lose their teeth every year as a result of gum (periodontal) disease than from any other cause. Thankfully gum or jaw bone disease and tooth decay is preventable, and if already present, manageable. With regularly scheduled checkups and cleans your mouth can remain healthy and free from tooth decay and gum disease.
Please call our office at 0449 262 768 and schedule a time to come in and discuss proper teeth maintenance.
Treating Periodical (Gum) Disease
Treatment of Periodontal (gum) disease is primarily performed by a dental hygienist who has specific training, education and interest in this area of dentistry. Karina Burgess has a keen interest in periodontal disease and would love to help your gums stop bleeding and help you smile again!
Understanding Periodontal (Gum) Disease – The leading cause of tooth loss in adults 30 years or older.
- Gingivitis – The build up of millions of bacteria (plaque) leads to inflammation and is known commonly as gingivitis (bleeding gums). If you aren’t flossing or brushing your teeth regularly or correctly then you might notice swelling and a puffy redness. By simply removing all the plaque and build up from your teeth and around your gums, and keeping it off can cure gingivitis.
- Periodontitis — A disease “around the teeth”. It affects the gums and the deeper supporting tissues of the teeth. It usually results from chronic (long term) gingivitis that is left untreated. When the inflammation gets into the supporting bone, it irreversibly damages the bone in the area resulting in bone loss. As the bone resorbs or shrinks away, teeth may become sore and/or loose, resulting in tooth loss. Bone loss caused by periodontitis is not reversible; the bone will never grow back. Once you have the onset of periodontitis, it takes careful monitoring, diligent home care and thorough hygiene therapy to ensure it has ceased and doesn’t progress or as we like to say is “stabilised”. If you are a smoker or have uncontrolled diabetes then you are “at risk” of this disease.
With regular visits to our denial hygienist Karina, we can plan a series of treatments to slow down the process and prevent early tooth loss. In many cases we can successfully stop further deterioration to the gum tissues enabling you to hold onto your teeth longer.
Please call our office immediately if your gums are at a Stage 2 or higher for periodontal disease.
Why do you need a Dental Hygienist
A Dental Hygienist is a registered professional who is specifically trained in the prevention and treatment of gum disease. Karina Burgess Greig (Dr Michael Burgess’ daughter) is a university trained clinician experienced in Periodontal (Gum) Disease treatment.
It is recommended that you attend the clinic every 6 months for a clean. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease or are considered at risk (a smoker, diabetic) we feel you should come in once every 3-4 months to ensure optimum health for your gums.
Our Preventative Dental Hygienist
Karina will care for your dental health in the most gentle, thorough and pleasant manner. The patient and Karina work together on a maintenance strategy to prevent the repeated incidence of gum disease, the frequency of maintenance appointments with the Dental Hygienist will depend on the individual.
During your Hygiene Appointment, Karina will:
- Make an initial assessment of your gums and jaw bone health to evaluate the current condition with a periodontal chart exam
- Provide scaling which entails the removal of calculus, plaque and bacteria responsible for gum or jaw-bone disease
- Complete comprehensive polishing to remove unsightly stains in order to give you a fresher and healthier looking smile.
- Apply fluoride solutions to prevent decay
- Take periodic x-rays to establish the condition of pre existing restorations and assess and monitor gum health
- Demonstrate individual and personalized oral hygiene techniques most suitable for you to keep your teeth and gums in optimal health.
- Provide dietary advice relating to the prevention of oral conditions.
- A dental hygienist takes on a somewhat academic role as well: he or she educates dental patients on how to establish and maintain suitable oral hygiene, often with the aid of teeth models to give the parent and child a visual sense. They hygienist should leave the patient with a good understanding of proper brushing habits and the relationship between diet and oral health
