Periodontal Disease and How Effectively Can It Be Treated?
Have you been scheduling your dental exams and cleanings every six months? If so, you’ve had plaque and tartar removed to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If however, plaque and tartar stay in your mouth, you may develop a condition known as periodontal disease which will require treatment.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth. In its early stage known as gingivitis, patients may experience redness, puffiness, and bleeding of the gums. If not treated, gingivitis can progress to advanced gum disease, a condition known as periodontitis. When this happens, gum tissue begins pulling away from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria build up and cause infection. As the condition progresses, further damage may occur to the gum tissue and bone, potentially leading to tooth loss.
How Does Periodontal Disease Affect Your Health?
Periodontal disease affects your overall health as well as your oral health. A link has been established between periodontal disease and a host of medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and more.
Treating Periodontal Disease
Treating periodontal disease begins with a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing. Scaling is the same procedure that takes place during regular professional cleaning and involves removing plaque and tartar from your tooth surfaces and below the gumline. Root planing involves smoothing out your root surfaces to discourage any further buildup of bacteria and tartar.
At times, we may recommend topical or oral antibiotics to help control the infection. There are also medications we may prescribe along with scaling and root planing to prevent the progression of periodontal disease. Surgical treatment may be necessary if the inflammation and deep pockets do not resolve following treatment with deep cleaning and medications, or if treating advanced periodontitis.
Periodontal Maintenance
After treatment, we will likely recommend periodontal maintenance, which involves frequent dental exams and cleanings. During your appointment, we will clean your teeth, examine your gum tissue, and measure your pocket depth and gum recession. Our goal is to manage your periodontal disease to ensure your gums and bones stay healthy.
Quality Dental Care Near Me
Contact High Street Dentistry in Jefferson City, MO, to learn more about preventing or managing periodontal disease. We are proud to offer quality preventative dentistry services designed to keep your smile clean and healthy for years to come. Call us today.