Periodontics

Serving Kanata, Stittsville and Ottawa, Ontario

Periodontics is the study of gum health and gum disease. Why is gum health important? Simply put, the health of your gums determines whether or not your teeth remain securely fixed in your jaw bone. New technologies allow our hygienists to track and treat gums more effectively.

Gum System

Your gums are the soft tissue that covers your jaw bone and fills in the gaps between the roots of your teeth. When your gum tissue is healthy, it protects your jaw bone material and the roots of your teeth from decay, but when your gums become unhealthy, it is necessary to combat the effects of tartar and gingivitis, or gum disease, in order to return the protective layer of your gums to their effective state.

Your gums may be unhealthy and need attention if they:

• Are inflamed, red, or discoloured
• Are sensitive to the touch
• Bleed when you brush your teeth, floss, or eat
• Remain pale if pressed gently
• Have pulled away from the roots of your teeth

Florida Probe

The system designed by Florida Probe allows us to measure gum disease as well as periodontal health. The system produces graphs and charts which make data composition easy to understand, so we can help you see how your gum health is affected by treatment.

Using the Florida Probe system allows Dr. Barakat to provide you with more effective treatments for more advanced problems with your gum health, which in turn helps protect your teeth against decay and tooth loss.

Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy

Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) is a revolutionary new treatment for gum disease. It is a conservative periodontal treatment and an ideal option if you are looking for a nonsurgical treatment method for your gum disease. A laser is used to kill the bacteria in the pocket and then reattach the gum to the tooth, eliminating the need for a scalpel or stitches in the gums.

The laser eliminates diseased tissue while preserving healthy gums. Since scalpels and sutures are not used, discomfort is minimized. The procedure is also much quicker than traditional treatments for gum disease.

Dangers to Gum Health

While there are a number of dangers to your gum health, some may be more easily avoided than others. For example, smokers have much higher risk of developing periodontal disease than non-smokers. Also, if you fail to follow good dental hygiene practices, you are at greater risk for gum problems.

The best way to protect your gums, as well as teeth, is by:

• Brushing at least twice daily
• Flossing daily
• Using antibacterial mouthwash if necessary
• Having regular professional dental cleanings

If you notice your gums becoming tender, changing colour, or bleeding when you brush your teeth, you should visit your dentist immediately to be examined. Once periodontal disease has established itself in your gums, it is much more difficult to treat than if it is addressed during the early warning signs. You can also help prevent periodontal disease by having regular checkups, during which Ottawa dentist Dr. Ami Barakat and his team will look for signs of early onset gum disease.

Please contact our Ottawa general dentist today to schedule an appointment at Dentistry at Main, serving Ottawa, Kanata, and Stittsville, Ontario.