Periodontal Therapy: An Overview
Gum disease is a common dental concern that affects many of our patients. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss or larger health concerns if left untreated. Your gums play a major role in your overall health, so it’s important to resolve all issues with your gums as soon as possible. That’s why Laurel Smiles Dental Care offers periodontal therapy as a means of restorative dentistry for your gums.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis
This is the first stage of gum disease, and the only one that’s reversible. Plaque builds up at the gum line and irritates the sodt tissue. Many adults have this because the signs and symptoms are so mild. It’s typically painless, and the best way to tell you have it is if your gums are bleeding frequently when brushing your teeth. Usually, this stage can be treated with proper oral hygiene or an antibacterial rinse. If you notice your gums bleeding, contact us immediately. We want to treat this before it progresses further.
Mild Periodontal Disease
At this stage, it can no longer be reversed. The infection progresses and starts to eat away at your bone structure. Bone loss starts at this stage. However, we can manage the infection even if we can’t reverse it. Scaling and root planing treatment is used at this stage. We clean out the gum pockets that are filled with debris and bacteria. Then, we smooth down the tooth roots so that the gums can reattach to the bone.
Moderate Periodontal Disease
The bacteria continue to get more aggressive in this stage. The bacteria not only attack the bone, but they get into the bloodstream as well. The infection and inflammation circulate throughout the body and cause issues in other areas. Like mild periodontal disease, we manage this stage with scaling and root planing.
Severe Periodontal Disease
At this stage, the infection completely evolves into disease-causing bacteria. Your gums will swell and ooze pus. It is very painful to bite or chew, and you have extremely bad breath. Chances are, the infection is causing other problems throughout your body. When it gets to this point, only gum surgery or laser gum therapy can manage it. Without treatment, you’re at risk of losing teeth and large amounts of bone.
Gum Disease Treatment in Laurel, MD
As your trusted dentist in Laurel, MD, we look forward to answering any of your questions regarding gum disease. We believe an informed patient is a healthy patient. Here are our most commonly asked questions regarding our periodontal therapy services:
What are the warning signs of gum disease?
Many people may not even be aware they have gum disease. This is why every dentist screens for it at regular checkups. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, please schedule a visit with one of our dentists:
Red, swollen or sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Sores or pus between gums and teeth
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Changes in the fit of a dental appliance such as dentures
What types of periodontal therapy are available?
Your dentist can suggest several treatment options to restore your infected tissue. Scaling and root planing is a procedure that allows us to clean deep into your tooth sockets. It is vital to remove all the plaque and tartar from your tooth’s surface. Laser dentistry allows us to remove infected tissue.
We may prescribe antibacterial rinses and antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning. Your dentist will consult with you on which method of periodontal therapy is best for you. Additionally, we offer many restorative dentistry treatments to correct any damage incurred by the disease.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is a result of excessive bacteria building up around the gums, eventually leading to an infection. This often shows up as gingivitis, or bleeding gums, before advancing to gum disease. A dentist will need to remove plaque that hardens, or tartar, to prevent gingivitis from progressing to gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease eats away at your gums and jawbone.
How can I prevent gum disease?
The best way to prevent gum disease is to see your family dentist regularly. Our office recommends a dental check-up every six months to ensure your smile is healthy and free of gum disease. Professional dental cleanings also help remove plaque and tartar build-up before your gums become infected. You should also practice good dental hygiene outside the dentist’s office to prevent gum disease. This includes brushing at least twice daily, flossing at least once a day, and using toothpaste with fluoride.
Our goal is to restore your smile and leave your gums as good as new so that you don’t have to live with the negative consequences of gum disease. Schedule an appointment with our team today, or call us at 301-200-1315 with any questions you have regarding gum disease.