Periodontal examination

Periodontal diseases, as well as a patient’s individual risk factors for the diseases, are often diagnosed through a comprehensive periodontal examination.  During this exam, the periodontist will discuss your chief complaint, review your medical and dental histories, and perform a clinical examination and radiographic (x-ray) analysis.  In some cases, microbiologic, genetic, biochemical, and other diagnostic tests may be performed.  This is the time to discuss with your dental team other factors that might contribute to periodontal diseases, such as smoking/tobacco use, pregnancy and puberty, stress, medications, clenching or grinding your teeth, diabetes, poor nutrition, and other general health conditions.

Oral hygiene instruction

The first step toward periodontal health begins with oral hygiene.  If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal diseases, you may be more susceptible to the diseases.  For this reason, you may need to keep your teeth cleaner than most people.  Be sure to review your at-home oral hygiene routine – including toothbrushing and flossing techniques and the use of special oral hygiene aids – with your dental team.  Good oral hygiene and professional cleanings can go a long way toward preventing certain forms of periodontal diseases, and reversing early stages of the diseases like gingivitis.