What is Periodontal Disease and How is It Treated?
Although most of us brush and floss daily, plaques can still build up and harden to tartar, the primary cause of gum disease. The bacteria in the oral cavity can stick to the surface and cause inflammation.
While periodontal disease can affect anyone, it is more prevalent in people with certain factors. These include smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor immunity, and dry mouth. Hormonal imbalance during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can cause the gums to become sensitive and prone to gum infection. Poor nutrition, like vitamin C deficiency, can also increase your risk.
How Does Periodontal Disease Develop?
Gum disease develops in stages, with inflammation being the first stage. Gingivitis usually develops without symptoms, and can easily go unnoticed. However, as the gum infection advances, you will begin to develop tender and bleeding gums. If you notice gum bleeding after flossing, visit a dentist near you for assessment as it may be early signs of gum disease.
In the advanced stages, the gum disease develops into periodontitis. This affects not only the gums but also the bone structures. This will cause the supporting bone to get compromised and the teeth to weaken. You may also develop receding gums, pockets, loose teeth, lingering sensitivity, swelling, and pus accumulation in the gums.
Without proper treatment, periodontitis can cause the loss of teeth. Furthermore, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream via the gum tissue and affect other parts of the body. Periodontal disease is linked to other conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
How Can You Get Rid of Gum Disease?
The dentist will first assess you before recommending periodontal treatment near you. While professional cleaning can help prevent and reverse the early stages of gum disease, you may need other forms of treatment. Some of the treatments that our dentist in North Port can recommend include:
1. Non-surgical treatments
These include deep cleaning, which involves scaling and root planing. Unlike the professional cleaning, the deep one removes tartar from underneath the gum line. Root planing is the attachment of the gums to the teeth to reduce the pockets. Most people after scaling and root planning do not need any active treatment.
2. Regenerative procedures
As gum disease advances, it will affect the tissue and the bone supporting the teeth. Regenerative procedures can reverse the damage.
- Soft tissue grafting
This procedure is part of periodontal treatment in North Port and is done to reverse gum recession. Dr. Paul Stein will take a small tissue matter from the palate and attach it to the affected area to stimulate new tissue and restore the size of the gums.
- Bone grafting
A bone graft uses bone granules from your body or synthetic to generate new bone. The dentist will take granules and fix them on the affected area to stimulate the bone. This procedure will help to prevent tooth loss.
- Guided tissue regeneration
This is also used for the regrowth of the lost bone. The dentist will use a small piece of fabric and fix it between the existing bone and your teeth. This biocompatible material will prevent bacteria from sneaking in and allow the bone to grow.
- Tissue-stimulating protein
The procedure can stimulate tissue and bone growth. The technique uses a special gel containing similar proteins found in the enamel on the affected areas.
3. Pocket reduction
The pocket reduction can be done using flap surgery. The dentist in 34287 will make incisions in the gums and liftback gum tissue, thereby exposing the roots. This makes it easy for the dentist to clean the bacteria and debris. The bone, at times, is recontoured before the gum tissue is attached back in place.
How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?
Gum disease is preventable, and the best way to prevent it is to follow these two habits:
- Good oral hygiene. This means engaging in brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, and floss once daily. Do not forget to rinse with a mouthwash to remove any food particles remaining and debris.
- Regular dental visit also allows the dentist to examine the gums. Teeth cleaning is also done with your routine checkups to remove plaques accumulated in between the teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Shore Dental for more information about periodontal disease treatment, and which one is the most suitable.