Periodontal Care & Gum Disease Treatment

What Is Gum Disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease occurs when the gum tissues and bone are infected, often as a result of poor oral hygiene. Gingivitis is the earliest form of gum disease, which can often be reversed with proper treatment. If gum disease is not treated early, the condition can progress to periodontitis or advanced periodontitis, causing permanent damage to the gums and bone structure that support your teeth. Fortunately, with proper care from our team at Signature Smiles, you can manage your oral health and minimize damage from gum disease.

• Gum Disease Symptoms
• Gum Disease Risks
• Gum Disease Prevention
• Frequency of Dental Cleanings
• Gum Disease Treatment

What Are the Risks of Gum Disease?

If you have gum disease, it is important that you seek care sooner rather than later, as the infection can continue to worsen and cause significant damage to your oral structures. In addition to causing issues like bleeding, sore gums, and loose teeth, periodontal disease is also often linked to other diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. The connection with these diseases is continually being studied.

How Can I Prevent Periodontal Disease?

Of course we want every single patient to avoid periodontal disease, which is why we focus on prevention. Preventing periodontal disease, however, can only be done through education. We educate all of our patients on how to best take care of their teeth. Here are some simply best practice methods to help avoid gum disease:

• Practice healthy oral hygiene (brushing twice daily, and flossing and rinsing daily)
• Visit your dentist regularly (at least every 6 months)
• Eat a healthy diet and limit snacking (especially sugary snacks and soft drinks)

Visit was amazing. Super quick and professional! Marisol was very gentle with my X-rays, Laurra was very gentle while cleaning my teeth, Dr. S was prompt and courteous, and Tammy was very patient in explaining my follow on care and related charges.

How Often Should I Get Dental Cleanings?

Our dentists alway recommend patients undergo a dental cleaning twice per year to keep plaque and bacterial buildup at bay. They are also advised before getting our affordable dental braces. Our professional cleanings focus on the health of your teeth by removing plaque buildup that is not possible to remove with brushing and flossing. Our dental hygienists also remove as much bacteria in the mouth as possible. This bacteria could lead to harmful oral and overall health problems.

Dental cleanings are a great way to keep you from experiencing cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. Avoiding these problems can also help you avoid major dental problems or procedures, like infections, root canals, or requiring dental implants.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

Our dental office only utilizes the latest and best in dental technology to serve our patients. We understand the importance of providing top-notch dental service to our pediatric and adult patients because our goal isn’t simply ensuring beautiful smiles, it’s about ensuring healthy smiles. As with every dental procedure, our goal with gum disease treatments is to place you or your family member on the right path to pristine oral health.

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist will recommend the most effective treatment option based on the stage of your condition. In many cases, this may involve a deep cleaning with scaling and root planing. This non-surgical treatment is necessary to prevent further infection and tooth loss from gum disease. During a scaling and root planing procedure, plaque and tartar buildup is removed from along the teeth and their roots. This process helps to eliminate bacteria while stimulating the gums to heal.

For more information about how to improve your periodontal health and manage gum disease, please contact our team at Signature Smiles to schedule your appointment.