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Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, develops when the bacteria on your teeth and gums is not removed with regular brushing, flossing, and professional teeth cleanings by your family dentist. The first signs of early-stage gum disease (or gingivitis) are swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, painful chewing, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Trillium Dental to schedule an appointment in Ottawa, or continue reading to learn more.

GINGIVITIS TREATMENTS

We are fortunate to live in a time where dental technology is quite advanced and dental treatments are becoming more widely available. Thanks to these technological advancements, many patients with gingivitis can reverse their symptoms with thorough brushing and flossing in addition to thorough dental cleanings. Not only that, but today’s dentists are now able to offer the following gingivitis treatments for patients who are exhibiting mild gum disease:

• Root planing. Root planing, or root scaling, is a dental technique that your dentist uses to scrape plaque and tartar away from the gum line during your teeth cleaning appointment. Over time, bacteria turns to plaque, which calcifies into hard, sticky tartar that can only be removed via root planing. If ignored, tartar eats away at the tooth enamel and causes inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue, which leads to gum disease. However, when tartar is professionally removed, it gives the teeth and gums a chance to heal.
• Gum lasering. Gum lasering is the next step in treating gingivitis. This non-invasive dental treatment involves lasers killing the bacteria along the gum line as well as removing any dead or diseased tissue. By ridding the area of disease, this method encourages the gums to reattach to the surrounding teeth rather than continuing to recede. Gum lasering can also reduce your chances of having to undergo a more extensive gum disease procedure down the line, like periodontal surgery.
• Crown lengthening. Crown lengthening procedures are performed if the surrounding teeth do not have enough surface space for the gums to attach to (as is often the case for patients with a “gummy smile”). Sometimes, this happens when teeth are broken or if a dental filling comes undone, leaving a damaged or decayed tooth exposed. If this is the case, your dentist will use a laser to contour the gums in order to expose more of the tooth surface so that the gums can reattach themselves to a clean, bacteria-free surface.

It is important to note that these gingivitis treatments are not meant to recover bone loss and may not fully restore the gum tissue that holds the teeth in place. This is where more involved periodontal treatments come into play, which aim to remove dead tissue, prevent further damage, and help the mouth tissue start to heal.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

ERIODONTAL TREATMENTS

Periodontal treatments are for patients who have moderate to severe cases of gum disease that require more extensive procedures. Often, these treatments involve oral surgery with local anesthesia, so patients typically have a longer recovery time. One of the main periodontal treatments used today is called a gingivectomy, which is a surgical procedure that involves the complete removal of dead gum tissue. Periodontal disease is harder to reverse in severe cases, but this is a good option for patients who are willing to commit to establishing a better oral health care routine with frequent trips to the dentist for professional teeth cleanings.

BOOK A GUM DISEASE TREATMENT IN OTTAWA

The longer your gum disease symptoms persist, the harder they will be to treat and reverse. If you think you are developing any of the symptoms listed in the beginning of this post, we highly recommend that you visit our family dental clinic right away. Contact us by phone, or book an appointment online at one of our eight dental offices in Ottawa.

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Lots of people think that flossing once per day is enough to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. However, how you floss matters just as much as how often you floss. At Trillium Dental, our dentists and dental hygienists want to make sure that our patients are prioritizing their gum health, and we’re here to teach you how to floss correctly.

FLOSS BEFORE YOU BRUSH

As family dentists, we often get asked whether it’s better to floss before or after you brush your teeth. While there is no set rule, our dentists recommend flossing before you brush your teeth. This allows you to remove any food particles that have gotten lodged between your teeth before you brush, in addition to any plaque buildup between the teeth and along the gum line. Then, when you brush your teeth, the toothpaste can find its way into these crevices more easily, helping to remove any remaining plaque and bacteria.

FLOSS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, NOT UP AND DOWN

Often, people think of flossing as a quick up-and-down movement, when in reality, they should be flossing with a side-to-side motion as they slide the floss between their teeth. In order to effectively get rid of the food particles and bacteria wedged between your teeth, you’ll need to work the floss around the base of each tooth. To start, gently move the floss back and forth to slide it between two teeth, then use a side-to-side motion to work the floss around the gumline. Then, move the floss back up using the same side-to-side motion, leaving the space clear of food and plaque.

USE CLEAN SECTIONS OF FLOSS

It’s important to start with a fresh section of floss when you move between the teeth so you aren’t shoving more food and plaque in each crevice. An easy way to do this is by wrapping the floss around one finger on each hand, then unraveling new sections as you floss. You’ll likely end up using a foot or more of floss to do a thorough job, so there’s no need to skimp!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF FLOSS

There are many types of floss to choose from these days, including unwaxed floss, woven floss, shred-resistant floss, and electric flossers. All of these options work just fine; however, they all come with pros and cons. Unwaxed and woven floss are great at removing plaque, but they are more prone to tearing than shred-resistant floss. Electric flossers are by far the most effective at removing plaque, and they’re more fun to use, making it easier for you to make flossing part of your daily oral hygiene routine. If you’re the type of person that always forgets to floss, or your gums bleed when you do, you might want to consider an electric flosser (like a water flosser) so flossing isn’t as much of a chore.

BOOK YOUR NEXT TEETH CLEANING WITH TRILLIUM DENTAL

At Trillium Dental, we believe that proper flossing is one of the best ways to avoid developing symptoms of gum disease. If you have swollen gums, or your gums bleed when you floss, this may be a sign of gingivitis. But don’t worry — we can help! Schedule an appointment at one of our Ottawa dental clinics today to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Our dentists would be happy to discuss our gum disease treatments with you.

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Gum disease can crop up at any time, bringing painful symptoms with it. As with many other health conditions, prevention is key when it comes to gingivitis and periodontal disease. At Trillium Dental, we encourage patients to maintain good oral hygiene habits and make regular trips to their family dentist for professional teeth cleanings. Contact us today to schedule a dental checkup, or continue reading for some tips to keep your gums healthy!

BRUSH YOUR TEETH

Your gums hold your teeth in place, protecting the tooth roots from infection. When your teeth accumulate food particles and bacteria, it turns into plaque, attacking the tooth enamel and surrounding oral tissues. Therefore, one of the best ways to keep your gums healthy is by brushing your teeth twice per day, for at least two minutes each time. Make sure to reach all the nooks and crannies of your teeth, including the ridges in the molars and the backsides of your upper and lower teeth.

FLOSS YOUR TEETH

Another obvious way to keep your gums healthy is to floss your teeth at least once per day. Food loves to hide in the crevices between your teeth, especially pieces of meat, popcorn kernels, fruit seeds, and sticky candy. To ensure that your teeth and gums are free of food particles and plaque, floss between each tooth in a side-to-side motion. If your gums bleed easily, this may be a sign of a gum infection or poor gum health, which can be improved with regular flossing and brushing.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

DON’T SMOKE

Tobacco use is one of the main causes of gum disease, as well as coronary heart disease, oral cancer, and lots of other life-threatening health conditions. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco is a sure-fire way to inflict damage on your gums, so refrain from smoking if you haven’t taken up the habit. If you do smoke, now you have one more reason to quit!

USE FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE & THERAPEUTIC MOUTHWASH

If you are prone to developing periodontitis due to genetic factors or lifestyle habits, you can never be too cautious when it comes to oral hygiene. Fluoride toothpastes are great at fighting bacteria and plaque, thus helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Therapeutic mouthwashes also make a great addition to your oral hygiene routine, as they reduce plaque and flush out food particles.

VISIT THE DENTIST

Once plaque turns into tartar, it really starts to eat away at the tooth enamel and irritate the gums. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional with the right equipment, such as a dental scaler or gum lasering tool. To prevent plaque from hardening and turning into tartar, make sure to visit your local dental clinic twice per year for a professional dental cleaning. Our family dentists have years of experience providing dental exams and periodontal treatments, and we’d love to see you at our dental office! If you are due for a routine teeth cleaning, contact Trillium Dental in Ottawa today to set up an appointment or make an appointment online!

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Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, which can progress into periodontitis (periodontal disease) if it goes untreated by your family dentist. However, it’s not all bad news if you start to notice the signs and symptoms of gingivitis — in fact, many patients are able to reverse gingivitis if they take the right precautions and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we provide gum disease treatments for patients who are suffering from gingivitis or periodontitis, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have symptoms. That being said, here are some steps to take if you have early-stage gum disease.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL DENTIST

We are fortunate to live in a time where we have access to all kinds of information at the touch of a finger, but this often leads people to self-diagnose when it comes to dental problems like gingivitis. However, if your gums start to cause you pain, looking up your symptoms is a good place to start. The most prominent symptoms of gum disease in its onset are gum recession (revealing more of your teeth, making them look longer), inflamed gums that are red, tender, and bleed easily, loose teeth, painful chewing, heightened tooth sensitivity, and bad breath that doesn’t go away with normal brushing and flossing. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it’s time to visit your family dentist for a professional teeth cleaning and full dental exam.

ADJUST BRUSHING & FLOSSING HABITS

If your dentist concludes that you are developing gingivitis, they will discuss treatment options with you in order to help reverse the damage it has done to your teeth and gums. Most often, gingivitis is a result of poor oral health, whether that be neglecting to brush and floss, not visiting the dentist, smoking cigarettes, binge drinking, or a combination of these factors. When plaque builds up on your teeth and gumline due to negligence, it turns into tartar, a calcified deposit that eats away at the tooth enamel and can only be removed with specialized dental tools via tooth scaling. Then, it’s up to you to maintain good brushing and flossing habits to keep the plaque at bay. Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice per day (for a duration of two minutes), as well as flossing daily.

INVEST IN ANTIBACTERIAL TOOTHPASTE & MOUTHWASH

When you visit our Ottawa dental clinic, our dentists may recommend an antibacterial toothpaste and mouthwash if you have gingivitis. These oral health products help to fight bacteria and plaque throughout the day and night for long-lasting protection. Bacteria can hide in spaces that are hard to reach, like along the gumline and between crowding teeth, and an anti-gingivitis toothpaste and mouthwash can help eliminate it. If you are interested in learning more about gingivitis treatments and over-the-counter oral care products, our dentists and dental hygienists would be happy to discuss this with you at your next Emergency Dentist appointment.

BOOK YOUR NEXT DENTAL EXAM IN OTTAWA AT TRILLIUM DENTAL

Of course, prevention is key when it comes to gingivitis, tooth cavities, and other painful dental problems. So, make sure to prioritize your oral health with regular visits to the dentist and thorough brushing and flossing, as well as limiting the sugary foods that feed harmful mouth bacteria and turn into plaque. At Trillium Dental, we care about your oral health, and our dentists are here to aid in gingivitis prevention and provide gum disease treatments for our patients. Contact us today for more information, check out our eight locations in Ottawa, or book an appointment online!

In part one of this blog series, we discussed some of the main causes of gum disease (also referred to as periodontitis or periodontal disease), including poor oral hygiene, a sugar-filled diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking cigarettes. At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we regularly treat patients who are suffering from gingivitis and periodontal disease, which is why we are dedicating this post to helping you recognize the symptoms and risks of gum disease so you can catch it before it progresses into a life-threatening illness. That being said, here are some of the main signs of gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease.

SYMPTOMS OF GUM DISEASE

While there are many painful symptoms of gum disease, not all of them are apparent during its onset, otherwise known as gingivitis. During the routine teeth cleanings at your local dental clinic, the dental hygienist will remove any plaque and tartar buildup in what we call a “tooth scaling” or “root planing” procedure. This painless dental treatment helps us identify whether you are experiencing any tooth decay or gum inflammation due to early-stage gum disease, whether you’ve noticed it yet or not. Oftentimes, patients don’t even know they have tartar buildup along the gumline until they visit us for a general dentistry appointment, while others will notice beforehand due to these common signs and symptoms of gingivitis:

• Gum recession
• Gum inflammation
• Red, tender gums
• Bleeding gums (especially when you floss and brush your teeth)
• Loose teeth
• Pain when chewing
• Tooth sensitivity
• Perpetual bad breath

Aside from maintaining good oral hygiene habits and making regular trips to your family dental clinic, being aware of the signs and symptoms of gingivitis is the first step in gum disease prevention. There are a number of serious health risks associated with periodontitis, and many of these are preventable with early periodontal treatments, such as root planing, gum lasering, gingival grafts, gingivectomies, and crown lengthening procedures. However, the effectiveness of these gum disease treatments depends on how early you catch the disease before it progresses and becomes less treatable.

HEALTH RISKS OF GUM DISEASE

If you have a gum infection or disease like periodontitis and the gum tissue is punctured or bleeds spontaneously (as is often the case in patients with gingivitis), the bacteria gains direct access to the rest of your vascular system via the bloodstream. This greatly increases your risk of having a stroke, in addition to the following health conditions:

• Coronary heart disease
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Pancreatic cancer

Victims of periodontal disease are also at a greater risk of having preterm or low-birthweight babies, as the bacteria can cause an increase in inflammation throughout the body. This is because the inflammation caused by gum disease puts excessive stress on your body’s vital organs, in addition to spreading the disease through the vascular system, which can wreak havoc on your body.

CONTACT TRILLIUM DENTAL IN OTTAWA TO BOOK A PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

Our dentists and dental hygienists at Trillium Dental firmly believe that the key to gum disease prevention is practicing good oral hygiene habits and making regular trips to the dentist for professional dental cleanings. Contact us today to learn about our gum disease treatments and general dentistry procedures, or book your appointment with us online.

Periodontal disease is a common dental health condition that affects billions of people around the world, and Ottawa is no exception. However, the good news is that gum disease is almost always preventable if you maintain proper oral hygiene habits and make regular trips to your local dental clinic for professional teeth cleanings. Even patients that develop mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, may seek periodontal treatment in order to remedy or even reverse the situation during the early stages. That being said, periodontitis comes with a host of additional health risks if left untreated, which is why it’s so important to become educated about the causes, symptoms, and risks of gum disease. Only then can gum disease truly be prevented through proactive oral health care.

CAUSES OF GUM DISEASE

Much like other common health conditions, gum disease can be caused by a number of things that lead to plaque and tartar building up on the teeth and along the gumline. This bacteria then binds with sugar from the foods and drinks we consume, creating acids that eat away at the teeth and surrounding tissues if it is not thoroughly removed via regular brushing and flossing. In other words, a lack of good oral hygiene habits is the main culprit of gingivitis and, consequently, gum disease, which is its more advanced, destructive, and irreversible form.

GUM DISEASE PREVENTION

At this point, you might be wondering what you can do to avoid developing this plaque and tartar buildup, so here are a few things to keep in mind during your daily oral health care routine.

• Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice per day. Once in the morning and once at night — and floss your teeth daily. This is the only sure-fire way to prevent gum disease and its onset symptoms, which can be incredibly unpleasant. Brushing and flossing your teeth every night ensures that any stubborn food and sugar lingering in your mouth from candy, soda, and meals you consumed throughout the day are eliminated. Otherwise, these acidic particles have between six and 10 hours to thrive as you sleep, eating away at your teeth and surrounding gum tissue. Don’t be fooled though — the symptoms of gingivitis can be subtle at first, so you might not even notice the damage that was done until much later if you start to slack on your oral hygiene.
• Watch what you eat. Given the accessibility of fast food, candy, soda, and other sugary sweets these days, it is now more important than ever to watch what you eat for a number of reasons. Aside from obesity and diabetes, one of the main reasons to eat healthy foods is that what you eat has a direct impact on your oral health. Certain foods, such as leafy greens, apples, cheese, and yogurt, are good for your teeth, as they help balance out your mouth’s pH level and can even help prevent tooth decay. On the other hand, sugary or acidic foods, like candy, chips, coffee, soda, citrus fruits, sports drinks, and alcohol, can be incredibly detrimental to your overall oral health.
• Limit alcohol consumption. This brings us to one of the main causes of gum disease: alcohol consumption. Studies show that heavy drinking is often linked to tooth decay and gum disease, given that alcohol contains particularly aggressive acids that feed on your teeth, not to mention that many types of alcohol are also loaded with sugar. On top of that, binge-drinkers often forget to brush their teeth after a night out and end up going to bed with all that sugar, acid, and bad mouth bacteria festering on their teeth overnight. To avoid this, try to cut down on alcohol consumption and, when you do decide to grab a few cocktails with friends, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly before you hit the hay.
• Quit smoking. This goes without saying, or does it? Aside from a lack of oral hygiene, the number-one cause of gum disease is smoking cigarettes and/or chewing tobacco. Both of these addictive substances contain loads of harmful chemicals that should under no circumstances come anywhere near your teeth, and to make matters worse, they are incredibly addictive. When combined with the sugars and acids from the foods you eat, these chemicals only make matters worse as they eat away at your teeth, very likely escalating the onset symptoms of gingivitis and moderate to late-stage gum disease.

BOOK A PERIODONTAL TREATMENT AT OUR OTTAWA DENTAL CLINIC

Now that you know some of the main causes of gum disease, it’s time to book an appointment at our family dental clinic in Ottawa. Our dentists and dental hygienists have years of education and experience preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontitis, which is why we are able to offer so many effective gum disease treatments at Trillium Dental.

Looking for more information about gum disease and how to prevent it with proactive oral hygiene and professional teeth cleaning appointments? Contact us today to learn more, and continue to part two of this blog series to find out the main symptoms and risks of gum disease when it is left untreated by a dental professional. Here at Trillium Dental, we firmly believe that the key to gum disease prevention is taking care of your teeth and becoming aware of the risks associated with this all-too-common disease, so you can do everything in your power to avoid it.

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Not many people know what gingivitis or periodontal disease is, yet according to the Canadian Dental Association, nearly 70 percent of Canadians will develop some form of gum disease over the course of their lives. While this figure might come across as alarming at first, it makes sense when you consider the causes of gum disease and the fact that it can go unnoticed for quite some time until you develop painful symptoms. That being said, here is a brief rundown of periodontics and the procedures involved.

WHAT IS PERIODONTICS?

Essentially, periodontics is a branch of dentistry that involves the treatment of the oral structures that surround and support the teeth. These include the jawbone, the gums, and surrounding oral tissue, which can be harmed by the persistent plaque buildup that causes gingivitis and gum disease. In order to combat this, periodontists are able to perform a number of treatments and procedures such as root planing or lasering away the bacteria, as well as gum grafting, crown lengthening, or performing gingivectomies. But don’t panic — these procedures aren’t nearly as scary as they sound.

ROOT PLANING & LASERS

Root planing is the term periodontists use to describe the process of gently removing tartar, or hardened plaque, from along and underneath the gumline with a dental scaler. Often, this painless procedure is done as part of your general dentistry checkups. However, patients who are experiencing mild gum disease, or gingivitis, may have this done to help clear the area of bacteria that caused the gum infection so the receding gums can naturally reattach themselves to the teeth.

Recent advancements in the field of dentistry have also made it possible for periodontists to precisely kill bacteria along the gum line and remove infected gum tissue so that the gums can reattach to the teeth. While this might sound painful, there is usually no need for local anesthesia, and the procedure doesn’t take long to complete.

GINGIVAL GRAFTS & GINGIVECTOMIES

Once a patient’s gum disease has worsened past the mild stage of gingivitis, surgical periodontal treatments may be required with the application of local anesthesia. One of these procedures is gingival grafting, or gum grafting, during which your periodontist will gently graft a small bit of tissue from another area (usually the roof of your mouth), then add it to the receding or diseased gums for support.

Gingivectomies, on the other hand, involves the lasering away of infected gum tissue from the deep pockets of bacteria that develop under the gumline in patients with periodontal disease. This surgical periodontal procedure is only performed in patients with severe gum disease that has attacked and deteriorated the gums, causing them to recede significantly.

CROWN LENGTHENING

Finally, your periodontist may perform a crown lengthening procedure for patients who do not have much natural tooth surface for a dental crown or cavity filling to attach to — as is often the case for those with deteriorated teeth from periodontal disease. During this periodontal procedure, we simply laser away extra gum tissue so that the following restoration process will be most effective.

Interested in learning more about the field of periodontics? Contact us with any questions you may have, and request an appointment at Trillium Dental in Ottawa today!

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In part one of this blog series, we defined periodontal disease and some of the gum treatments our periodontists provide for patients with gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease. These include a preventative method called root planing, where we gently remove tartar from the gum line with a small metal tool called a dental scaler, and laser gum treatments, which involve the removal of bacteria and infected gum tissue without the need for local anesthesia. Both of these periodontal treatments have the potential to reverse minor gum damage by allowing the gums to naturally reattach to the freshly cleaned and disinfected teeth.

At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we also offer other kinds of periodontal treatments that pertain to those with moderate- and late-stage gum disease, or periodontitis. When the gums have receded to the point where the roots of your teeth start showing and deep pockets of bacteria begin to form, professional periodontal attention is required to alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage to your gums, teeth, and jawbone.

PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS FOR GUM DISEASE

Once gingivitis has worsened to the point of periodontitis, the patient may be eligible for surgical gum treatments. Given that the roots of your teeth are not meant to be exposed, they might become very sensitive when your gums weaken and recede due to the infection. Fortunately, we have many gum treatment options available for these patients, including:

• Gingival grafts: A surgical procedure where oral tissue is taken from the cheek, the roof of the mouth, or another donor area, and added, or “grafted,” to the patient’s receding gums. This procedure aims to patch gum areas that have weakened and receded to the point of no return, where they expose the sensitive roots of the teeth. It requires the use of local anesthesia, takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour, and has proven to be an effective way of regaining gum strength due to the fact that the body is far less likely to reject its own tissue post-surgery.
• Gingivectomy: A form of oral laser surgery that rids the gums of underlying bacteria in the “pockets” that were created as a result of gum recession, as well as all the infected gum tissue. When these pockets become filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, the teeth and supporting jaw structure are at jeopardy of deteriorating, which is why it’s so important to have them cleaned out and removed. Like gingival grafts, local anesthesia is also applied during gingivectomies for the comfort of our patients.
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In the event that a patient’s periodontal disease has advanced to the point of tooth loss and jawbone deterioration, among other painful and even life-threatening oral health conditions, other periodontal treatments may be required that don’t deal specifically with the gums. If you are experiencing any of these things, visit our dental clinic today and we may suggest one of the following surgical procedures:

• Crown lengthening: The surgical process of using a soft-tissue laser to trim extra gum tissue from around the missing or deteriorated teeth in order to increase the potential for restoration. Our periodontists perform this procedure when a patient’s tooth has degraded or broken to the point where it cannot host a necessary cavity filling or dental crown. Many people who suffer from gum disease require a crown lengthening procedure in order for their periodontist to provide these fillings and crowns, which help protect diseased teeth from further decay.
• Smile-In-A-Day: A surgical alternative to dentures where a periodontist removes loose, decayed teeth and replaces them with a temporary, hybrid denture that is secured to the underlying bone structure with dental implants. This stimulates the jawbone in a less invasive way, allowing natural bone regrowth and strengthening without the need for invasive bone grafts. Not only does the Smile-In-A-Day dental implant procedure fill in missing teeth, replace decayed teeth, and assist with jawbone regrowth, but it is also performed much quicker than other implant procedures, leaving our patients with a perfect smile when they leave our dental office the very same day.

Strong teeth and a sturdy, stimulated jawbone are critical for basic daily oral functions, like speaking, chewing, and drinking fluids. Smile-In-A-Day is one of the most effective tooth replacement options to date, as it closely mimics the support and stability of natural, healthy teeth. Plus, they look very similar to real teeth, making them an attractive option for people who want to feel confident in their smile while also regaining their strength.

CHOOSE TRILLIUM DENTAL FOR A PERIODONTAL TREATMENT

When it comes to pursuing a periodontal treatment for gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth loss, or jawbone decay, choose our friendly and experienced periodontists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa. As your local family dentistry provider, it is our mission to ensure that each of our patients has access to exceptional periodontal treatments that will help them heal and improve their overall quality of life. Request an appointment through our website or give us a call today!

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Here at Trillium Dental in Ottawa, patients often ask our periodontists what they do and how their services can help those with periodontal disease. As it turns out, not many people know the main differences between periodontistry, orthodontics, and general dentistry, which are all very different and equally important jobs in the field of oral health care. Not all dental offices in Canada offer periodontal treatments, however, and we are proud to have a team of highly knowledgeable and experienced periodontists on our staff.

As your local family dentist, it is our job to provide each and every one of our patients with exceptional dental services — including those that involve periodontics. Our periodontic dental services are aimed at preventing periodontal disease in healthy patients, reversing gingivitis before it advances, and treating those with moderate- to late-stage gum disease. In most cases, these periodontal treatments deal directly with the gums, as this is where periodontal disease begins.

WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?

In order to understand what a periodontist does, it’s important to know what periodontal disease is. In a broad sense, periodontal disease refers to any infection of the gum tissue, which can range from tartar buildup and gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, to periodontitis.

Gum disease attacks the gum tissue, teeth, and surrounding bone structure, causing it to deteriorate over time. Not only that, but oral tissue is also full of blood vessels, which can spread the disease to other parts of the body via the bloodstream when infected gums start to bleed. This puts you at a far greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and several kinds of cancer, including oral and pancreatic.

The good news, however, is that depending on the severity of your condition and the quality of treatment you are receiving, early-stage periodontal disease can be reversed with periodontal treatments. As with any other health condition, preventative measures and early detection are key to mitigating damage before it is too late.

PERIODONTAL TREATMENTS FOR GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis develops as a result of plaque building up and turning into tartar, a calcified form of bacteria that eats away at the teeth and gums if it is not removed at least twice per year with a professional dental cleaning. Those with gingivitis will notice their gums becoming tender and prone to bleeding, as well as separating from the teeth. If you are experiencing these symptoms and think you could be developing gingivitis, we highly recommend that you visit our dental clinic as soon as possible so we can perform gum treatments to get rid of the infection before it becomes more serious.

For patients who are experiencing the discomforting symptoms of early-stage gum disease, our periodontists can perform the following periodontal treatments:

• Root Planing: A non-surgical gum treatment where bacteria and tartar buildup are removed from the gumline using a small tool called a dental scaler. This method is extremely effective at removing destructive, invisible bacteria from the “pockets” that form under the gums as they separate from the teeth, encouraging them to naturally reattach to the smooth, clean surface. Root planing is also performed during routine teeth cleanings as a preventative measure, which is part of the reason why it’s so important to prioritize general dentistry and visit your dentist at least twice per year.
• Lasers: A gum treatment that involves the killing and removal of bacteria and infected gum tissue with precise lasers. Like root planing, laser gum treatments encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth, which are smooth and free of bacteria. This method is less preventative than root planing due to the fact that it targets existing infected areas, but it does help reverse damage and reduce the need for major periodontal surgery later on. It also does not require the use of sedation or local anesthesia, making it a more pleasant experience than many other gum treatments.

VISIT TRILLIUM DENTAL FOR A GUM TREATMENT

Our periodontists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa perform a wide range of gum treatments depending on the severity of their patients’ gum disease, from the non-surgical methods we mentioned in this post to the surgical periodontal treatments we will discuss in part two of this blog series. Stay tuned for more information about what our periodontists do, and request an appointment with us today if you are noticing symptoms of gingivitis.

Family dentistry is our passion, so you can rest assured knowing that the oral health of you and your loved ones is our highest priority. We are here to provide you with the dental care you deserve, from filling cavities and straightening teeth with Invisalign® technology to performing both surgical and non-surgical periodontal treatments. We’ve got you covered, no matter what oral health issue you may be experiencing. Give us a call today to see how our periodontists can help you!

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KANATA AND OTTAWA, ONTARIO – There are many different types of cancer, and the Canadian Cancer Society reports 29 percent of all Canadian deaths in 2009 were due to cancer.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and in an effort to raise awareness about this disease our Ottawa family dentistry team encourages you to pay attention to any changes in your mouth, gums, lips and cheeks.

Our team provides general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry in Kanata. We can help restore missing teeth with dental implants, we thoroughly clean your teeth and gums at every regular appointment and we carefully screen each patient for oral cancer.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, in 2003 about 3,100 Canadians were diagnosed with oral cancer and the disease claimed 1,090 Canadian lives. The five-year survival rate for oral cancer is 63 percent, according to Health Canada. This means that 63 percent of patients diagnosed with oral cancer are still alive five years after their diagnosis. We don’t want you to be next. You are an important part of your oral health, and keeping a close watch over your lips, gums, teeth, cheeks and tongue may even save your life.

Learn the Most Common Oral Cancer Symptoms

If you know the common symptoms of oral cancer you can better protect yourself. When you go through your daily oral hygiene routine, check for the following warning signs: Use your finger to trace your lips, gums and cheeks to check for any swelled lumps. Sores are often signs that something is wrong in your mouth, especially those that last longer than two weeks. Note the color of the sores as well; are they white, red or a combination of the two colors?

You may also notice ear pain, numbness, tenderness in your face or mouth, frequent oral bleeding, a prolonged sore throat, trouble chewing or swallowing food, changes in the way foods taste, trouble talking or moving your jaw or even extreme weight loss. Has your bite changed? Do you notice a difference in the way your teeth fit together? All of these symptoms could be warning signs of oral cancer. Bring any of these symptoms up to your dentist at your next appointment.

Identify Your Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Tobacco use greatly increases your risk of developing oral cancer. If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, consider how much healthier you’ll be if you quit. Quitting tobacco will improve your dental health, your skin, your heart health, your lungs and your circulation. You are also approximately six times more likely to develop oral cancer if you drink alcohol to excess.

Too much sun can increase your chances of developing oral cancer. Protect your lips with an SPF fortified lip balm or by wearing a hat that blocks sunlight from your face. If you’ve had oral cancer in the past, or if someone in your family has had oral cancer, you have a higher risk of developing the disease. The presence of HPV has also been linked to increased oral cancer risk.

You can develop oral cancer at any age, though your risk increases dramatically after you hit 45. Your diet may also contribute to developing oral cancer, so be sure to eat a diet full of vegetables and fruits to help prevent cancerous cell growth. Men also get oral cancer more frequently than women.

Understand Prevention and the Importance of Routine Dental Care

There are ways for you to thwart the onset of oral cancer. Limit your consumption of alcohol and protect your face and lips in sunlight. Quit tobacco and eat a balanced diet. Learn the common symptoms of oral cancer and be aware of any changes to your oral health.

You have a better chance of surviving oral cancer the earlier you receive a diagnosis. Dentists are often very important in diagnosing oral cancers in patients, which is one reason why routine dental care is so essential to your total body health. You should visit the dentist at least twice a year to make sure he has adequate time to diagnose oral cancer. If you are at higher risk, your Ottawa dentist may want to see you more often than twice a year. Regular screenings ensure that we catch any cancer faster, which gives you more time for treatment and increases your chances of survival.