Responsive and gentle treatment resolves periodontal disease quickly; promotes healthy healing in Brampton ON

Dr. Azeem Sheikh approaches gum disease treatment in Brampton ON differently; along with the skilled hygienists at Brampton Dental Arts, Dr. Sheikh promotes services that are not invasive, and that support your body’s natural healing. Its Soft Tissue Management (STM) program is an alternative to surgical procedures that are associated with uncomfortable side effects and a greater risk of unpleasant complications, and that fails to preserve maximal natural tissue. Dr. Sheikh’s patients appreciate this light-touch and gentle way to conserve gum tissues and restore the beauty and health of their smiles.

The successful management of the gums that support your teeth starts with an accurate understanding of your gingival health. Gum disease is progressive. So, plans that are developed to treat early-stage gum inflammation or gingivitis differ from plans designed to treat even mild periodontitis, let alone periodontitis that has progressed to the “moderate” or “advanced” stages. What distinguishes gingivitis from periodontitis is bone loss; “periodont” refers to bony tissue, whereas “gingiva” refers to the pink, gummy tissue. When inflammation (“itis”) extends into the bone tissue, periodontitis is present, and patients are at risk of experiencing bone loss without proper treatment.

The effects of gingivitis can be reversed. But once the natural bone is lost, it is gone for good. Dr. Sheikh complements his advanced clinical experience with precision diagnostic tools to accurately determine the health of gums. With information about the presence of gingival inflammation in hand, he can then recommend a treatment program to resolve symptoms effectively and efficiently, and slow disease progression.

Soft Tissue Management largely combines professional services at the Brampton Dental Arts office with modifications to home care, including:

• Scaling and root planing with high-frequency vibrational, ultrasonic instruments to remove the bacteria that promotes sticky plaque, which irritates the gums, and plaque’s hardened form: tartar. You can’t safely and effectively remove tartar with off-the-shelf products. Thorough cleaning requires the professional tools and techniques used by qualified dental hygienists. Additionally, scaling removes harmful bacteria and stubborn plaque from the surfaces of each tooth root, whereas planing softens the rough surfaces of those teeth roots. Smoothing out the teeth roots helps to prevent bacterial toxins from sticking to these areas, and further supports the reattachment of gummy tissue to bone. As the disease progresses, the gums pull apart from the teeth and form periodontal pockets. These pockets are irrigated using a warm, therapeutic formulation proven to speed up healing. Gentle treatment experience and tissue healing are also supported by the use of a special laser. Soft tissue laser devices provide welcome, comfortable, and conservative alternatives to traditional cutting instruments, such as scalpels, in the recontouring and treatment of damaged gums.
• Guidance on-at-home hygiene techniques are customised to your specific needs and personal risk factors, such as tobacco use, or dry mouth caused by chronic medical conditions and the medications used to treat them. Specialised products, such as prescription antimicrobial rinses or saliva substitutes, may be recommended – and STM patients receive a motorised toothbrush to aid in consistent, thorough brushing. Our hygienists may also encourage you to rethink your daily habits; for instance, some patients may rush through brushing, while others may floss irregularly. Flossing must be a daily habit, just like brushing, and proper brushing cannot be rushed. Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day. Otherwise, your brush may miss sticky plaque on your teeth or in other areas such as your tongue, and brushes can’t “catch” the hard-to-reach spaces in-between teeth the way floss does.

It has often been said that it takes 21 days to make a habit. So, Dr. Sheikh will schedule follow-up appointments to reevaluate your gums and see how therapeutic products and hygiene modifications are working. Remember: oral care is a lifelong commitment that requires consistency and routine visits to Brampton Dental Arts; it is not a one-and-done procedure. Call (905) 581-3726 to schedule your appointment at the Brampton ON office.