Periodontal Disease Treatment

You may be surprised to learn that an estimated 75% of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gum disease. However, while most patients don’t exhibit symptoms (it is often referred to as the “silent disease”), it is important to get treatment early, as it can lead to loss of teeth or serious health issues if left untreated. The good news is gum disease is largely avoidable – the key is prevention and early diagnosis. Our periodontal (gum disease) services will aid you in identifying your symptoms and providing you with the best possible care.

Identifying Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque. In its earliest stage, this ailment begins as an infection found primarily in your gums, also known as gingivitis. Should the gingivitis go untreated, the condition can advance to periodontitis, or gum disease. At this stage, the disease will also impact supportive gum tissues and even destroy the bone, which may cause loss of teeth, heart disease, stroke, premature birth, respiratory disease, and difficulties with diabetes.

There are a few clear signs that you may be at risk for gum disease. First, if you experience any bleeding during brushing and flossing, you may be experiencing early symptoms. Gum disease is also caused by the following:

• Smoking
• Bacterial Plaque Buildup
• Genetics
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Certain Medications
• Poor Nutrition
• Grinding or Clenching One’s Teeth
• Hormonal Fluctuations

If you are at risk for gum disease, we strongly recommend that you visit our offices for an examination and treatment.

How We Can Help

Depending on the stage and severity of the periodontitis, we have a variety of services that can help you.

• Non-Surgical Treatment (Scaling and Root Planing) – This deep cleaning treatment will remove plaque and tartar buildup from pockets in the gums, as well as the surface and roots of your teeth. Your dentist may also recommend an antibiotic to aid in the healing process.
• Surgical Treatment Options – Depending on the severity of your infection and the level of success of non-surgical options, your dentist may recommend surgical treatments.
• Pocket Reduction Procedures – If there is any tartar build-up in the pockets of your gums that cannot be reached from a non-surgical cleaning, your dentist will perform this surgery in which they fold back gum tissue and remove the disease-causing bacteria hidden in the pockets of your gums.
• Gum Graft Surgery – For gums that have receded due to infection, your periodontist may utilize tissue from either your palate or a donor source to cover the area of decay.

If caught early, these treatments can help to reverse the damage of gum disease and leave your mouth looking healthier and your gums feeling stronger than before.

How To Prevent Gum Disease

The best treatment for gum disease is total prevention. There are a number of steps that we recommend you take to avoid these painful implications of severe gum disease.

• Brush your teeth thoroughly. We recommend brushing your teeth and tongue after eating to help reduce plaque that may lead to gingivitis.
• Floss. Flossing once a day at minimum is vital to prevent gum disease as it removes plaque along the gum line that may not have been caught during brushing.
• Use mouthwash. Mouthwash reduces plaque and can remove any hidden food particles.
• Assess your risk. Smoking, poor diet, age, stress, certain medications, and genetics are all factors in periodontal disease. Be sure to discuss your potential risk with a dentist.

To evaluate your risks for gum disease, contact us today to schedule an appointment!