Our highly-trained and experienced professionals specialize in periodontal therapy. Call us today, and we’ll schedule an informative consultation.
What is Periodontal Therapy?
Periodontal therapy is the treatment for diseased gums. Gum disease is more common than you may think. Gum problems are the cause of more lost teeth than cavities. Many people know that brushing their teeth is important but neglect their gums. Did you know that you should also brush your gums when you brush your teeth?
Your gums have the crucial job of holding your teeth in place and protecting your tooth root and jawbone from plaque and bacteria. That’s why it’s essential to take great care of your gums and get proper treatment if you have gingivitis or periodontitis.
Gingivitis is a mild gum disease form. It causes irritation, redness, and swelling in the gingiva, the part of your gum around the tooth base. Bacteria in the gums causes periodontitis, a severe gum infection that damages the soft tissue. Gingivitis and periodontitis can damage gum tissue and cause further problems if left untreated. Severe cases can include issues with your gums and teeth and problems with the jawbone. It can lead to tooth loosening or tooth loss and can affect the health of your entire body, not just your gums and teeth.
What Are The Signs of Gum Disease?
As soon as you see gum disease signs, it’s time to take action. The earlier you start, the better. The faster you receive treatment, the more likely you will prevent problems from growing. The appearance of your teeth and gums may indicate if there’s a problem. Maybe they’re starting to turn a shade of red. It’s generally advisable to come in if you suspect something isn’t quite right.
Here are some gum disease warning signs:
- Red gums
- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Inflamed gums
If you experience these symptoms, reach out to us at Alliance Dental Care. We’ll provide the care you need as soon as possible.
What Does Periodontal Therapy Involve?
We offer some different, effective approaches that may depend on your unique situation, but some general things may help get your gums started back to a healthier state.
Brushing your teeth and flossing is the best first step in treating your gum issues. Brush twice per day for about two minutes at a time, and make sure you’re covering all your tooth and gum surfaces in a circular motion. Use fluoridated toothpaste as recommended by your dentist and replace your toothbrush every two or three months.
Maintain a suitable diet conducive to dental health and make sure you see us every six months or so. We recommend you quit to keep your teeth and gums in their healthiest possible condition if you smoke. Smoking or tobacco use can mask or cover up gum disease symptoms so that you may not know you are at risk of tooth loss until it is too late.
Depending on your gum disease state, brushing and flossing may not be enough to treat it. Gum disease often requires professional periodontal therapy and “deep cleaning.” The best periodontal therapy involves professional cleaning, typically more extensive than the professional cleaning you receive every six months. There are different levels or depths of cleaning depending on your condition.
If gingivitis does not receive the proper therapy, it may become periodontitis. Periodontitis includes a plaque and bacteria buildup in pockets between your teeth and gums, affecting the tooth root and jawbone in some cases. Periodontitis requires deeper, more extensive cleaning called scaling and root planing (SRP). SRP involves cleaning the tartar below your gums on the root surfaces and removing the bacteria and plaque buildup from any gum pockets between your gums and teeth. This sometimes requires more than one visit to the dentist’s office, where we’ll focus on one side of the mouth per visit.
A deep cleaning may also require some follow-up treatment. We’ll want to provide cleanings to maintain the best possible gum condition approximately every three to four months. Once we determine your gums are in good condition, we’ll help you transition into a regular cleaning schedule.
What Else Does Periodontal Therapy Include?
Other treatment options may include bone/gum grafts or laser procedures. If you suffer from periodontal disease, it may cause gum or jawbone loss. We can perform a procedure whereby bone or gum grafts will replace and add gum or bone tissue to the affected area. We may also be able to use a laser for periodontal regeneration.
Don’t Wait! Call Today!
If your gums are unhealthy, the sooner you start treatment, the better. If you wait too long, you could suffer from gum and bone deterioration. Certain tooth and gum conditions are untreatable. Gingivitis is a curable gum disease, but periodontitis is not. Fortunately, we can slow down periodontitis.
It’s essential to consult with Dr. Roarke Miller and the staff at Alliance Dental Care in Meridian. We’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums and provide some great recommendations. Call us today. If you’re suffering from dental health issues, we can help. We look forward to bringing back your smile.
