Dental Bone Health

By: Cambria Curran

Image obtained from: periodontist.org

A look into periodontal probing and

how to maintain a healthy bone level

Bone Loss is Irreversible

What is a Periodontal
Probe?

Think of it
like a ruler.

Each line
on the
probe
measures
1mm.

Image obtained from: reareo.us

Image obtained from: hu-friedy.com

The probe measures the depth of ones

gum pockets which helps dental professionals determine a patients bone level.
A probe reading is taken around the
three surfaces of each tooth on both the
tongue side and the check side, so a total
of 6 probe readings are taken around
each tooth. This ensures accurate information gathering pertaining to where
exactly bone loss is occurring.
If youve ever been to the dental office
and your hygienist/assistant was saying
aloud 3-2-3, 3,1,3, etc. as she/he was
moving an instrument around in your
mouth, they were periodontal probing.

Perio-Aid

Once bone loss has occurred, there

is no way to get it back.

The Perio-Aid toothpick holder is an inexpensive way to help

maintain oral health by removing plaque from hard to reach places. Just
break off a toothpick into the hole at the end of the device and tighten it
into place. Then trace along the gumline and in between teeth to remove

Plaque from bacteria and food

debris build up throughout each day
and if they are not removed through
brushing and flossing they can start
causing major damage to the gums
and underlying bone by releasImage obtained from: intelligentdental.com
ing harmful byproducts.

plaque.

Tartar is essentially calcified plaque and cannot be removed by home care processes. This is one reason why
having regular dental visits is important, so that the hygienists can remove any tartar buildup.
The key to preventing bone loss is maintaining good oral
health:

Having a diligent home care routine is important in

keeping plaque and tartar levels down.

Images obtained from: https://perio-aid.net/perio-aid.html

Brush 2X daily for at least 2 minutes, if

youre only going to brush once a day, ALWAYS BRUSH BEFORE BEDTIME.

Any probe
reading under
3mm is considered
normal.
When gum
pockets are
deeper than
3mm dental
Image obtained from: http://www.glamorgandental.ca/treatmentsprofessionals become services/periodontal-therapy/diagnosis-treatment-maintenance/
concerned that the patient has periodontitis which is just a fancy word
meaning that inflammation due to bacteria and tartar invasion has lead to
bone destruction.

Point your toothbrush at a 45 angle to the

tooth so that the bristles are getting below the
gumline.
Floss once a day making a c

What are probe readings that represent healthy bone

levels?

Image obtained from: pocketdentistry.com

shape around each side of the tooth

as you go under the gumline.

What if I already have deeper pockets?

As mentioned earlier, bone loss is irreversible, but if you are proactive

and seek regular dental care (it is more difficult to keep deeper pockets
clean with home care alone, as brushing, flossing, etc. can only go so far
under the gumline) and keep an aggressive home care routine to maintain
the work the dental hygienist does you can stop the bone loss from progressing any further and help you keep your natural teeth.
Image obtained from: medical.tpub.com

Image obtained from: http://randallwooddental.com/blog/