Periodontal Treatments. Periodontal Disease
Untreated periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can cause irreversible damage, including tooth loss. One of the key factors in its development is bad oral hygiene. Brushing teeth regularly removes bacteria that normally “inhabit” the mouth of a healthy person. But when left to accumulate, they provoke plaque and tartar buildups around teeth, which eventually lead to an early stage of periodontal disease (gingivitis).
Gum disease is almost unnoticeable at early and moderate stages, while advanced periodontitis is easily identified by:
- bleeding at the time of brushing
- bad breath
- foul taste in the mouth
- bright red, swollen, receding gums
- loose teeth
- large gaps between teeth
Gingivitis occurs as mild gum inflammation, which is triggered by plaque “attacking” the teeth. You may notice tooth discoloration and experience bleeding in gums as you brush or touch them.
Without timely therapy, inflammation tends to progress to periodontitis, where the gums pull away, creating small pockets between them and the teeth. Debris and bacteria continue to accumulate inside these areas, forcing your immune system to respond. The advanced stage of periodontitis is diagnosed when the connective tissue, which holds teeth in place, begins to break down due to toxins. Bone and gum destruction occurs, resulting in loose teeth. There’s a high risk of losing teeth.
Periodontal Care
Our dentists at Dental World Marietta can diagnose gum infection and/or disease far ahead of the alarming symptoms. During an examination, they will check the gum tissue using a periodontal probe and may take dental X-rays to evaluate the jawbone condition. Based on the disease's progress, our specialist will recommend the best treatment.
The options are:
- Scaling and Polish. A healthcare professional removes plaque and tartar buildup from teeth and polishes them. This is usually enough for patients who don’t have pockets and practice dental hygiene at home.
- Deep Cleaning/Root Planing. Professional deep-cleaning involves debridement and cleaning of areas below the gum, as well as in periodontal pockets, if any. It’s done under local anesthesia. Root planing is meant to smooth rough areas on the tooth’s roots.
- Oral Irrigation. The anti-microbial liquid is directed below the gum line to kill bacteria and speed up healing.
Prevention is the best therapy, so it’s highly recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, floss out the hard-to-reach spots, and visit the dentist for a professional cleaning every six months. Our clinic provides the most recent oral rinses (Periomed, Peridex, Listerine) and showcases to our patients some of the latest electrical toothbrushes (OralB, Sonicare). After each cleaning, they receive a sample of dental care products and detailed oral hygiene instructions for helping your teeth last a lifetime.