PERIODONTAL TREATMENT
Bacteria begin to form and multiply in the mouth shortly after birth.
Almost immediately, our life-long battle against plaque begins. Plaque is comprised mostly of bacteria in combination with saliva, food, and fluid secreted by the gums. The heaviest concentration of plaque tends to be at the point where the teeth meet the gums and between the teeth. If not removed daily, the bacteria in plaque multiply into colonies. Over time, un-removed plaque hardens into tartar, a tough gritty deposit that gives new plaque a rough surface to which it can cling. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

During these checkups, the dentist or hygienist uses a periodontal probe to determine the extent of any breakdown in the attachment between the gums and the teeth. The depths of the “pockets” are measured and if any measure is more than 3 millimeters deep, it is a clear indication that quick steps need to be taken to remove plaque from the teeth above and below the gum line, and to heal the gums and surrounding tissues. Depending on the severity of the condition, various treatments are available to accomplish this.