Periodontal simply means “the tissue around the teeth.” Plaque is the most common element causing gum disease. Contact our office for a periodontal evaluation.
Common problems associated with gum disease:
- “Long” teeth (receding gum lines expose the root portions of your teeth)
- Discolored or deteriorating tooth structure
- Gum depressions (holes in between the teeth in the gum tissue)
- Infected gum line (discoloration or inflammation of the gum tissue)
- Tooth loss or tooth movement
The effects of gum disease can be damaging to your dental health. Research suggests there is a link between periodontal disease and other health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, and increased rish during pregnancy. However, through proper preventive care and oral hygiene, you can avoid problems associated with gum disease.
Treating Periodontal Diseases
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. If the disease is caught very early, you may simply be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygeine.
The first non-surgical step usually involves a deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, to remove plaque and tartar deposits on the tooth and root surfaces. This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. This is sometimes referred to as "periodontal cleaning" and may take more than one visit.
Your dentist also may recommend medications to help control infection and pain, or to aid healing. This medications could include a pill, a mouthrinse, or a substance that would be placed directly in the periodontal pocket after scaling and root planing.