Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 84 views

    Patient 08 PDF

    Uploaded by

    amar

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Patient 08 PDF

    Uploaded by

    amar
    84 views1 page

    Original Title

    patient_08.pdf

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    84 views1 page

    Patient 08 PDF

    Uploaded by

    amar

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 1

    F O R T H E D E N TA L PAT I E N T . . .

    including the color and firmness of the gums. A


    Preventing very small instrument called a periodontal probe
    is used to gently measure the space between the
    periodontal disease teeth and gums. This determines whether perio-
    dontal pockets are present. The normal space be-
    tween teeth and healthy gums should be three
    millimeters or less. Generally, the more advanced
    y the time people reach adulthood, the gum disease, the greater the pocket size.

    B their teeth and gingivae, or gums, have


    had quite a workout. When gums are
    healthy, they continue to fit snugly
    around the teeth. Many adults, how-
    ever, develop some type of periodontal, or gum,
    diseasean infection of the tissues that support
    their teeth.
    Except in unusual cases, you can help prevent
    gum disease by brushing twice a day and cleaning
    between your teeth with floss or an interdental
    cleaner once a day. Choose products that display
    the ADA Seal of Acceptance, your assurance that
    they meet the ADAs criteria for safety and effec-
    tiveness. Your dentist may provide additional
    Some researchers suggest that there may be a instructions on cleaning methods or products you
    link between gum disease and other health con- can use at home. Avoiding tobacco use and other
    cerns such as cardiovascular problems, stroke, healthy measures, such as eating a balanced diet,
    bacterial pneumonia and increased risk during are important in preventing periodontal disease.
    pregnancy. More studies are needed to determine Even if you brush and floss regularly, you may
    if the bacteria or the inflammatory response asso- not remove all the plaque, especially around the
    ciated with gum diseases play a role in these sys- gumline. Plaque can harden into a rough, porous
    temic problems. deposit called calculus or tartar. Once hardened,
    it can be removed only in the dental office during
    CAUSES
    your regular cleaning.
    Gum disease is usually caused by plaque, a sticky
    WARNING SIGNS
    film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If
    plaque is not removed with thorough daily You may not even be aware that you have gum
    brushing and cleaning between teeth, gums disease because often there is no pain. There are
    become irritated and inflamed. The irritated gum warning signs, however, and you should call your
    tissue can separate from the teeth and form dentist if you experience any of the following:
    spaces called pockets. Bacteria move into the dgums that bleed during brushing;
    pockets, where they continue to promote irrita- dred, swollen or tender gums;
    tion. Left untreated, the process can continue dgums that have pulled away from the teeth;
    until the bone and other tooth-supporting tissues dpersistent bad breath;
    are destroyed. dpus between the teeth and gums;
    The early stage of periodontal disease is called dloose or separating teeth;
    gingivitis. It often results in gums that are red da change in the way your teeth fit together
    and swollen and may bleed easily. The good news when you bite;
    is that this early stage is usually reversible. da change in the fit of partial dentures.
    Sometimes, all it takes are more regular profes-
    sional cleanings and better home care.
    Prepared by the ADA Division of Communications, in cooperation
    PREVENTION with The Journal of the American Dental Association. Unlike other
    portions of JADA, this page may be clipped and copied as a handout for
    Regular checkups are important. During an patients, without first obtaining reprint permission from ADA Pub-
    examination, your gums are evaluated for perio- lishing, a division of ADA Business Enterprises Inc. For the Dental
    Patient was not developed to comply with legal requirements for
    dontal disease. The dentist looks at many things, informed consent.

    JADA, Vol. 132, September 2001 1339


    Copyright 1998-2001 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

    You might also like