05/29/2023
PERIODONTAL SCREENING
β’ Knowing the numbers of your periodontal screening determines how often your teeth need to be cleaned and the level of periodontal therapy and home care required to maintain or reestablish a stable strong and healthy foundation.
β’ Shallow measurements (1, 2 or 3 mm) typically indicate no bone loss whereas deeper measurements (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10+ mm indicate bone loss.
β’ Your gums are healthy and normal if the quality of the gum surrounding each tooth is pink, firm, snug, not bleeding and measurements obtained are 1 mm to 3 mm.
β’ 4 mm gum pocket measurements arise when there is some swelling or inflammation (gingivitis/ gum disease) of the gums making the measurement greater than what is considered normal. This can occur when the bacterial levels in your mouth are too high. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible with the involvement of your dental hygienist together with proper home care. However, ignored and /or improperly treated gum disease often leads to bone disease; thereby know that 4 mm measurements are red flags that may signal the beginning of bone disease.
β’ When bone is lost, deeper gum pockets develop (4, 5, 6+ mm) . These deep pockets are a perfect space for plaque bacteria (oral biofilm) and tartar (calculus) to reside, hide undisturbed, populate and continue causing damage to the surrounding environment . Initially, this results in gingivitis. Over time, bacteria that sits deep within these gum pockets and is not removed efficiently can do harm to the bone that supports the teeth leading to bone loss.
β’ Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease (gums are affected but bone is still intact). Early periodontitis develops when there is gingivitis and mild bone loss indicated by 4 mm measurements. As the disease progresses moderate periodontitis develops resulting in 5 mm deep measurements. 5mm and greater measurements likely indicate advanced periodontal disease. Ultimately, tooth loss occurs when the bone support surrounding a tooth is no longer there.
β’Prevention is key. Start by finding out what your periodontal screening tells you about your mouth.