How can I prevent and check for periodontal disease?

How can I prevent periodontal diseases?

Daily good oral hygiene can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal diseases.
Brush your teeth twice a day. With proper brushing, you can remove plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you a proper brushing technique. Using a fluoride-containing toothpaste also will help protect your teeth against cavities.
Carefully clean between your teeth once a day with dental floss or another interdental cleaner to remove plaque from areas your toothbrush can't reach. It only takes a few minutes each day and is just as important in maintaining oral health as brushing your teeth.
If you need extra help controlling gingivitis and plaque that forms above the gum line, your dentist may recommend using an ADA-accepted antimicrobial mouthrinse or other oral hygiene aids as an effective addition to your daily oral hygiene routine.
When choosing dental care products, look for those that display the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance — your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.
Eat a balanced diet for good general health.
Visit your dentist regularly.

Checking for Periodontal Diseases

During your checkup, the dentist will examine your gums. This is called a periodontal examination. He or she will use an instrument called a periodontal probe to gently measure the depth of the sulcus surrounding each tooth. The healthy sulcus depth is usually three millimeters or less.

Periodontal diseases cause the sulcus (the shallow v-shaped crevice between your teeth and gums) to deepen into a pocket. A periodontal probe can determine whether you have developed any pockets and the depth of those pockets. Generally, the more severe the disease, the deeper the pocket.

Dental X-rays, or radiographs, also may be taken to evaluate the amount of bone supporting the teeth and to detect other problems not visible during the clinical examination. If periodontal disease is diagnosed, the dentist may provide treatment or may refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in the treatment of periodontal disease.

<- Radiograph showing periodontal bone loss.

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