Minimal sedation during periodontal treatment

Many people are likely to avoid a trip to the dentist if they know that it will require periodontal treatments or procedures. This is because they will be more fearful of pain and intrusive procedures than a regular cleaning. 

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal diseases are caused by infections in the structures around the teeth, but not in the actual teeth. This means that the infection can be within the gums, the alveolar bone or the periodontal ligament. Typically the first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis, in which it only affects the gums and no other structures, which is why it is so important to treat gingivitis quickly and efficiently. 

What are the symptoms?

Some of the biggest indicators of periodontal disease surround the gums. This includes swollen or puffy gums, bright red, dark red or purplish gums, gums that are tender when touched and gums that will bleed easily. There are also some signs that you should watch out for like bad breath, loose teeth, painful chewing, new spaces between your teeth, gums that pull away from your teeth or common blood after brushing. If you begin suffering from any of these symptoms you should see your dentist as soon as possible. 

What causes it?

Periodontal disease is quite easily caused. It typically starts with a buildup of plaque. It will start on your teeth and can harden within the gum line into tartar. This will be more difficult to remove and it is filled with bacteria. The longer that plaque and tartar sit on your teeth, the more damage they will cause. Your plaque buildup can also lead to gingivitis, which is the mildest form of gum disease. Lastly, ongoing inflammation of your gums can cause periodontal disease because it creates pockets in your gums that will fill with this type of bacteria. 

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is by brushing twice a day regularly and visiting your dentist for your regular cleanings. Be sure to floss at least once a day, which will allow you to loosen the food particles and bacteria. The best way to prevent this type of disease is by prioritizing your oral hygiene. 

How can sedation dental care help? 

It may not seem like minimal sedation can help prevent periodontal disease, but in a round-about way, it can! If you have patients who are fearful of going to the dentist, they are more likely to skip their cleanings, which could result in disease. Sedation dental care is a way to help them relax in order to make it into their cleanings. 

In addition, people are likely nervous of any type of periodontal procedures they will need to have because they can be fairly invasive and a bit scary. Instead of avoiding treatment of this disease, providing your patients with sedation dental care is a great way to get them less anxious before the appointment and to be sure they are coming in to take care of the problem. 

If you are a dentist and you have questions about getting certified for minimal sedation, give us a call today! We can help answer your questions and find you a course that will work for you! This is a great way to help your patients feel more safe and comfortable in your office and to keep them coming back for more cleanings!