Periodontal disease poses a real risk for smiles, leading to discomfort and even tooth loss. Our team has tips for preventing the onset of periodontal disease and can even offer treatment to manage the disease and avoid tooth loss. Our Oklahoma City, OK, dental practice talks about addressing your periodontal concerns!
The Causes and Warning Signs of Trouble
Periodontal disease occurs when the gums become inflamed. The inflammation, also known as gingivitis, could lead to sore, red, and bleeding gums. Without treatment to reverse the inflammation, the gums could pull away from the teeth and form pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter, at which point the person develops gum disease. The symptoms of inflammation will persist, and people could also notice recession that makes the teeth appear longer. Lack of treatment could lead to later stages linked to worsening symptoms, even adult tooth loss! Which is why action to avoid or manage periodontal disease is so important for your smile.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
You should find time for regular checkup and cleaning visits with our team every six months. We will examine the smile and watch for the warning signs of inflammation, so we can take action to protect the smile from disease. In the same visit, we will also clean the teeth, which involves removing all plaque and tartar with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick. Cleanings help prevent inflammation or reverse it, so you avoid disease. At home, you need to take time to brush and floss daily, and try to avoid tobacco products or a diet high in sugar and starch. These factors can help you enjoy healthier gums!
Treatment to Manage Poor Gum Health
Our team could conduct a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing, in which we remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, roots, and beneath the gum line to prevent further complications for your gums, teeth, and jawbone. Our team could also offer antibiotics. With medicated mouthwashes and topical treatments, we can destroy deposits of harmful bacteria to keep your gums healthy and strong, managing the disease to prevent the late stages linked to tooth loss. In severe situations, we may recommend surgery or remove diseased tissues, or gum grafting to address receding tissues.
If you have any questions about how our team diagnoses and treats issues like gum disease, or about preventive actions you can take, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk To Your Oklahoma City, OK Dentist About Treating Periodontal Disease
Our team offers treatments to keep your smile healthy and whole. If you would like to find out more about improving your overall gum health, call our Oklahoma City, OK dental practice at (405) 752-0111.
