Periodontal Disease Treatment

Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental problems in America. Many people who have it are not aware of it and do not realize that they have a problem until significant damage has already been done. That is why we are dedicated to not only treating periodontal disease – but educating our patients about it as well.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a disorder in which a person’s gums begin to recede or detach from the teeth. This occurs when a build-up of plaque and tartar develop at the base of the gums. Over time, bacteria grow and infect the gums. This can lead to swelling, soreness, and bleeding.

As the condition worsens, your gum line may begin to recede. In severe cases, the gums may pull away from the teeth. Patients with severe gum recession and infection often suffer from tooth loss and irreversible bone damage.

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

In its early stages, gum disease is fairly simple to treat. We do this by conducting a deep-cleaning of the gums and teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Depending on the severity of the build-up and infection, our doctors may recommend both a scaling and root planing treatment.
Scaling is the process of removing build-up from the surface of your teeth. One of our skilled hygienists will do this during your routine dental visit. Visiting our office twice a year, and keeping up with daily hygiene habits makes it easier to avoid infections. If periodontal disease is left untreated, pockets of bacteria may form between the teeth and gums. An infection like this can lead to bone damage and tooth loss. To treat more serious forms of gum disease, our doctors may recommend root planing. For this treatment, your dentist will clean below the gum line, smooth the root surface, and remove any infection from the bone and tissue.

How Do I Prevent Gum Disease?

There are two ways to prevent gum disease – brush and floss every day and visit your dentist often. To keep your mouth healthy, our doctor recommend brushing at least twice daily and using dental products that contain fluoride.

While good oral hygiene helps – it may not prevent gum disease by itself. That is why it is so important to keep up with your routine dental visits. During your appointment, your hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth and remove any build-up. By maintaining good oral health at home, and coming to visit us twice a year, you will be able to significantly reduce your chance of developing gum disease.

To learn more about gum disease or to schedule a cleaning, call our office at 812-232-6654. Together we can keep your mouth happy and healthy for years to come!