Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can cause more than an unattractive smile—it can lead to tooth loss and, if untreated, more severe health issues.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, we will recommend a deep cleaning. Although it may seem like a more intense teeth cleaning, deep cleanings are the gold standard treatment for gum disease. This procedure is also known as “scaling and root planing” or “periodontal therapy.”
In periodontal disease, swollen and unhealthy gums begin to recede from the teeth due to pockets where infection-causing plaque and tartar accumulate. During a deep cleaning, the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and tooth roots. They then smooth the surface of the tooth root, making it more difficult for bacteria to adhere in the future and easier for the gums to reattach.
What Is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, known as gingivitis in its early stages, is caused by an excess of harmful bacteria found in plaque that attacks the soft tissues in your mouth. Early warning signs include red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If caught early, we can help reverse the damage. If detected later, we can use various effective restorative dentistry procedures to restore your mouth to a healthy and beautiful state. Regular examinations and cleanings, along with specialized treatments for periodontal disease if necessary, can help keep your teeth and gums strong and disease-free.
Understanding Periodontal Disease and Initial Treatments
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, we will recommend a deep cleaning. Although it may seem like a more intense teeth cleaning, deep cleanings are the gold standard treatment for gum disease. This procedure, also known as “scaling and root planing” or “periodontal therapy,” is essential for managing the condition. For those with gum disease, we may suggest incorporating deep cleanings and periodontal maintenance checkups into your regular dental visits.
Comprehensive Periodontal Therapy Options
- Managing periodontal disease involves more than just deep cleanings. Periodontal therapy aims to enhance the gum tissue that supports your teeth, replacing diseased tissue with healthy tissue whenever possible. If severe gum recession has occurred, gum grafting may be necessary to reposition gum tissue and cover exposed tooth roots. Additionally, we address bacterial infection in your tissues by applying topical antibacterial or antibiotic solutions, either alone or alongside the aforementioned treatments.
- Patients with very advanced or complicated periodontal disease may need to consult a specialist. A periodontist is a dentist who focuses almost exclusively on treating gingivitis, periodontal disease, and other conditions affecting the mouth’s soft tissues. After completing a general dental degree, a periodontist undergoes additional specialized training in periodontics. While all dentists are trained to treat periodontal disease, a periodontist’s advanced training makes them experts in gum disease, its risk factors, and associated symptoms and conditions. If you have been diagnosed with advanced gum disease, a periodontist may become an integral part of your dental care team, working with us to develop a treatment plan to prevent the condition from worsening.