Dental Solutions
“I love my teeth and my smile. The work was done very softly and pleasant, and Dr. Gross and his team really cared and even worked on “odd” hours as I was a bit pushed for time leaving USA for Europe. Thank you Dr. Gross – Thank you Renee and the rest of the team – You are great!”
- Pernilla
Hygiene and Periodontics
Miami, Florida
Just as we take a shower or bath every day, so also we need to brush and floss our teeth each day. There are always bacteria in the mouth, and the goal of brushing and flossing is to keep their numbers down to harmless levels. At SmilePerfect in South Florida, we offer very thorough dental checkups and professional cleaning for your benefit.
When Dental Hygiene is Neglected
If food particles are left on the teeth, bacteria thrive and multiply and their acid excretions build up. This is plaque – bacteria and their acid excretions. It can be brushed off, and flossed out from between teeth. However, if it is left for too long, it hardens into tartar, also called calculus. Then it must be removed by a professional cleaning.
As tartar builds up on the gums as well as on teeth, inflammation begins. Now when you brush, the gums bleed a little. They become swollen and red, and start to recede from the teeth. The little pockets between teeth and gums enlarge, making more space for bacteria to thrive. More acid excretions build up, increasing the tartar, eating into tooth enamel just as anything acid will – whether sugary foods, soda drinks, or starchy foods which break down into acidic sugars. This is the first stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. It can be treated fairly easily.
The Gum Disease Cycle
The second stage of gum disease is perionditis, and it is harder to treat. By this stage, the pockets around teeth are quite large, giving shelter to increasing numbers of bacteria and their acid excretions eat deeply into teeth and gums, causing pain as the nerves are affected. Infection sets in. It can spread into the tooth roots and jawbone, weakening the bone and allowing teeth to become loose and even fall out.
The infection can also enter the bloodstream, since the gums are bleeding, and travel to other parts of the body. The cycle is now established and is hard to break:
- More bacteria are multiplying
- Excreting more acid toxins
- Which destroy more enamel and gum tissue
- Which creates more space for bacteria
- So more bacteria multiply
The Florida Probe
The Florida Probe is computerized dental technology which allows our dentists to accurately measure and record the size of the pockets between teeth and gums. The procedure takes about ten minutes. Your dentist gently places the probe into each pocket and the system registers the depth of that pocket.
Several other tooth and gum features are also measured and recorded, such as:
- Gum recession
- Plaque indices
- Tooth mobility
Computer software stores the information in graphic form which can be printed out for you in a colored chart. If you have had this procedure done before, the system will compare the past and present findings, and mark any little changes on the chart. Over time, this gives you a complete history of each tooth.
Gives Feedback on Home Hygiene
The Florida Probe picks up tiny details that would be invisible to the human eye. This gives you excellent information about how your home dental hygiene is doing. You can easily see which areas need more brushing, and which need more flossing in between teeth. It also tells your dentist where there are any warning signs of gingivitis or periodontitis, so that he can treat it before it develops into a major problem.
If you would like to watch them, there are several one-minute movies which explain what is done, how, and why. At SmilePerfect, we place a high priority on patient education, and are pleased to offer you this extra opportunity to become well-informed about your dental status.
If you would like to know more about your dental options, we will be pleased to schedule a thorough periodontic examination at one of our four offices in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Plantation or Deerfield, Florida. Please contact us today.
SmilePerfect Locations: Galleria • Plantation • Deerfield • Boca
