Prevention

Keeping a regular preventative maintenance schedule with Dr. Danielle Kelner will help you prevent not only tooth decay and periodontal disease but also avoid costly procedures and extra time in the hygiene chair. More adults lose teeth due to periodontal disease than from cavities.

A regular home prevention routine usually consists of brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once per day. But did you know there are other tools to make taking care of your mouth a little easier? Depending on your needs, there is special toothpaste, rinses, and even flossing aids that can help you keep your smile bright and healthy for years to come. Kelner Periodontics can help you find the best tools to enhance your daily hygiene routine making your professional cleaning appointments shorter and less stressful.

Another significant factor in your oral health is your diet. Acidic foods and drinks can erode enamel just as a balanced diet can help keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.

Regular professional exams and deep cleanings, a dedicated at-home hygiene routine, and a healthy, balanced diet can help prevent minor issues from becoming major procedures. Almost half of US adults have gum disease and would benefit from seeking periodontal care, starting with scheduling a consultation and exam.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Our mouths provide a home to millions of bacteria - beneficial and harmful. Bacterial waste forms a sticky substance, plaque, which adheres to the teeth. Brushing and flossing aim at removing plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. Tartar becomes a colony for more bacteria releasing toxins into the gums.

Gums react to this bacterial invasion with an inflammatory response thanks to your immune system. Around the base of each tooth lies a small collar of gum tissue that forms a small crevice or pocket. This warm, dark environment provides a perfect habitat for deeper tartar and bacteria to infiltrate.

Early inflammation results in bleeding gums, known as gingivitis. Bacteria left untreated and undisturbed successfully create a chronic infection in the periodontal pocket. In many cases, the bone begins to deteriorate around the teeth. While gums may be slightly tender at this stage, there's generally minimal discomfort as the bone begins to erode.

More than 50% of the bone around your teeth can disappear before signs of looseness or pain appear. The bone around teeth never regenerates, so this loss becomes permanent and harder to control as the bacteria hide deeper into the gums. Untreated gum disease leads to abscesses and generalized tooth loss in many advanced cases