Tooth decay on the root surface of teeth may also be called root cavities, root decay, or root caries. It is a potentially detrimental oral health problem that needs immediate treatment to prevent severe dental damage. In this blog, you can learn more about what root decay is, why it happens, how it’s connected to gum disease and soft tissue recession, and what treatments are available to repair your teeth and soft tissue. If you’re concerned you have decay on your tooth’s root surface, contact your dentist in Greenbelt, MD as soon as possible to begin repairs.
Periodontal Pocket Depths
As part of our ongoing efforts to help patients achieve and maintain their healthiest smiles, we recommend regular preventive dental checkups and teeth cleanings. During these visits, you have probably heard your dentist calling out numbers as they check your smile. They are measuring the depths of your gum tissue pockets. This is called periodontal charting, and it helps us keep track of your gum health. This important measure of periodontal (gum) health tracks the depth of the pockets around each tooth. The top of gum tissue does not attach directly to teeth. There is a space or pocket between the gum and the tooth before it attaches. This pocket deepens in the presence of bacteria, plaque, and tartar build up that lead to gum disease. To monitor and evaluate gum health, the pocket depth must be measured, recorded, and monitored over time. In this blog, we’ll walk through what periodontal pockets are, how they are connected to gum health, and why it’s so important to regularly monitor periodontal pocket depths.
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Increasing Patient Knowledge During Gum Disease Awareness Month
February is gum disease awareness month, and while many dental patients have struggled with some form of this disease, research indicates that millions of adults in the US currently have undiagnosed gum disease. This oral health condition, sometimes referred to as periodontal disease, occurs when plaque buildup at the gum line irritates, inflames, and breaks down supportive bone and soft tissue. There are two forms of gum disease – mild gingivitis and more advanced periodontitis. Left untreated, the condition impacts every level of oral and overall health. In honor of gum disease awareness month, we’re going to discuss warning signs, prevention methods, and how you can partner with your dentist in Greenbelt and Millersville to combat gum disease.
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