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What To Know About Periodontal Disease | Ottawa Dentist

periodontal disease

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a progressive condition that affects the tissues supporting the teeth. It begins with mild inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and, if left untreated, can advance to more severe stages, leading to significant damage to the gums, bone, and ultimately tooth loss. Here’s how periodontal disease progresses through its stages:

1. Stage 1: Gingivitis

  • Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and is characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily during brushing or flossing. Plaque buildup along the gumline, caused by poor oral hygiene, leads to bacterial growth and inflammation. At this stage, the damage is reversible with professional dental cleanings and improved oral care at home.

2. Stage 2: Early Periodontitis

  • Without intervention, gingivitis can progress to early periodontitis. In this stage, the inflammation spreads deeper into the gum tissue and starts to affect the bone supporting the teeth. Gums may begin to recede, forming pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria accumulate. This can lead to persistent bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and mild to moderate bone loss.

3. Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis

  • As periodontitis advances, the supporting bone and fibers that hold teeth in place continue to be destroyed. Gums recede further, and pockets deepen, allowing more bacteria to thrive. Teeth may become loose or shift in position. Moderate periodontitis requires more aggressive treatment, including scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) to remove plaque and tartar buildup beneath the gumline.

4. Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis

  • In the most severe stage of periodontal disease, advanced periodontitis, significant bone loss occurs around the teeth. Pockets deepen further, and teeth may loosen or become mobile. Severe infection and inflammation can affect overall health, increasing the risk of systemic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Advanced periodontitis often requires surgical intervention, such as flap surgery or bone grafts, to restore gum and bone support around the teeth.

Prevention and Treatment:

  • Regular dental check-ups, professional cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices are crucial for preventing periodontal disease. Early detection and treatment are key to managing and halting its progression. Maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco use, and managing systemic health conditions also contribute to gum disease prevention.

Understanding the stages of periodontal disease highlights the importance of early intervention and proactive oral care in preserving gum and overall dental health. By addressing symptoms promptly and following recommended dental care routines, individuals can reduce the risk of developing severe periodontal issues and maintain a healthy smile for years to come.

For more information, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit us online at www.ottawadentistryonkent.com

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serves patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Is Gum Contouring Right for You? | Ottawa Dentist

We all desire an exceptional smile. In a world where a camera is readily available, we try to look our best at a moment’s notice. That said, having a great smile is key. And when our patients think of a perfect smile, they focus on bright, white, straight teeth. However, many patients realize that there’s another component as well: great looking gums.

Some patients may have gums that are too high, and others have gums that are too low. The causes vary – genetics plays a part, but certain prescription drugs can cause gums that cover more of your teeth than normal, and activities such as smoking can cause gum recession, causing your teeth to look longer than expected.

Gum contouring is typically considered a cosmetic procedure – most insurance plans do not consider it medically necessary and will not cover the costs. However, it is available from many dental and periodontal offices. For severe cases of gum recession, exposed tooth roots can cause gum contouring to be considered a medical necessity, as the receding tissue can contribute to long term problems such as tooth decay and tooth loss.

The procedure can be done with traditional surgical techniques or lasers – ask your dentist to determine which they recommend. In many cases, local anesthesia is sufficient, though general anesthesia may be considered for larger procedures. The recovery is typically straightforward – there is some bleeding and swelling expected, but generally the soreness will subside within a week.

At the end of the procedure, the patient can look forward to a gum line that is both healthy and cosmetically appealing.

For more information about gum contouring, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Wrapping Up the Summer with a Healthy Snack | Ottawa Dentist

Now that we are wrapping up the warm summer months, we need to begin to swap out our frozen snacks for a warmer one. The kiddies are back to school; you send them with an apple for the teacher. The leaves change from bright, vivid greens to more rust-like, “apple-y” colorations. It going to get chilly so it’s time to break out the cinnamon sticks for our apple cider.

Apples aren’t only a fruit used to sweet talk the teachers or keep away the doctors. They also help keep our smiles strong and bright. Apples are naturally full of vitamins A and C, key to keeping our gums nice and healthy. There is also a small amount of acid in the apple that acts as an astringent on your teeth when you bite into it. Just make sure to keep the peel on the apple. It needs the crunchiness of the skin to help clean your teeth. And that is why they are also known as nature’s toothbrush.

If you feel like snacking but don’t want an apple, you are just bored. An apple is an ideal snack. The fiber makes me fuller than something bad and will have less sugar (and calories) than some typical junk food.

Just because the apple is now our favorite go-to snack, please remember that these sweet fruits do have sugar content, so be sure to brush afterwards to make sure you get rid of the loosened plaque left behind by your apple. If you don’t have a toothbrush handy, do a quick rinse with some water. The more your mouth is rinsed, the less chance that plaque can become re-attached to your teeth.

For more information about healthy snack options, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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It Happens in Threes | Ottawa Dentist

We have all heard the phrase “it happens in threes”, and it’s generally never meant for anything nice. We all want to be healthy and safe so that we aren’t considered in the next unfortunate set of three. And one way to ensure that you aren’t involved in the next bad luck trio is to look after your dental health. Because our oral health is very important to our health overall. You may not be aware but according to the Canadian Dental Association, seven out of ten Canadians will develop some form of gum disease in their lifetimes. 70% will have this issue, but only if they are lax on their daily dental duties.

Knowledge is power and this is no different. Gum disease is caused by bacteria found in plaque, the sticky colorless film that forms on your teeth. If this plaque isn’t removed by proper oral hygiene habits, plaque will build up and the bacteria will infect every aspect of your mouth. There are three stages of gum disease and each affect your mouth differently: gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Gingivitis. This is the inflammation of your gums and teeth that’s caused by plaque buildup at your gum line. This is the only stage of gum disease that can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue are not yet affected.

Periodontitis. Once periodontitis occurs, the supporting bone and tissues structures are irreversibly damaged. Your gums will start to form pockets below your gum line, which traps plaque and food.

Advanced Periodontitis. This is the final stage of gum disease, where the tissue structures and supporting bones are destroyed, which can cause you teeth to shift and loosen, affecting your bite.

For more information about gum disease prevention, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.