Periodontal Treatments
Gum Disease Risks Your Overall Health
Many patients consider periodontal disease, or gum disease, only a threat to their smile from an aesthetic standpoint. But in fact, there are many health issues that may worsen in response to even the earliest stages of gum disease. Some of the most serious issues include heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. It’s estimated that half of Americans over the age of 30 have reached the more advanced stage known as periodontitis. Understanding the signs of gum disease and seeking treatment early can prevent the issue from worsening and potentially causing serious harm to your overall health.
Symptoms That Signal Gum Disease
The very first signs of gingivitis may stay invisible and cause you little to no pain. Watch carefully for warning signs and symptoms like:
Understanding the Various Stages of Periodontal Disease
There are extensive links between long-term health problems and periodontal disease. Keeping up with all of your regular dental visits with the dentist is the key to catching gum disease at the earliest possible stage. The earlier you catch the disease, the easier it is to treat.
Level 1 – Gingivitis
Bacteria begin moving in under the surface of the gums. You’ll experience the first round of minor inflammation symptoms, including redness, swelling, and mild bleeding. Don’t ignore the warning signs. See your dentist at this point for treatments that can reverse the disease.
Level 2 – Periodontitis
At this stage, periodontitis involves the separation between the gum tissue and the teeth. Bacteria have a chance to move down closer to the roots of the teeth and form pockets of infection. This releases toxins into the blood, eroding bone and tissue. Eventually, the gum disease progresses to the stage where teeth could be lost. Smile restoration treatments would need to be considered to save any remaining teeth, recover gum health, and maintain your beautiful smile.
Treating Periodontal Disease
Prevention is the number one tool to combat gum disease.
Improved Oral Hygiene
Commit to regular brushing and flossing to maintain your oral health before it becomes a problem. In many cases, early stages of gingivitis can be corrected with a diligent oral hygiene routine.
Scaling and Root Planing
Root planing and scaling are non-surgical treatments to remove plaque and tartar from where it is hiding under the gum line. Special dental tools can remove bacteria all the way to the roots, even where brushing and flossing can’t reach.
Frenectomy
The frenulum is a small piece of tissue that connects your lips and/or tongue to the rest of your mouth. If either of these areas rub against the gum tissue or teeth, you may experience gum disease or other complications. A frenectomy is a short surgery, typically about 15 minutes, to reduce the frenum for a healthier long-term oral environment.
Osseous Surgery
Designed to close the pockets that can form around tooth roots, this treatment option removes bacteria so it can’t spread and damage the bone. You’ll have the best chance of keeping teeth after experiencing loosening or visible gum recession due to advancing periodontitis.
Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration
Periodontal treatment options like grafts and the use of barrier membranes encourage the growth of new and healthy tissue to fill in any gaps caused by advanced gum disease.
Ridge Augmentation
When a tooth is extracted, the bone tissue that used to surround the roots is eventually lost. Rebuilding this part of the alveolar ridge requires augmentation surgery.
Take charge of your gum health today. Schedule an appointment with one of the top dentist Evans, GA has to offer to find out what you can do to reverse the damage of periodontitis.
Please call (762) 218-2186 or click below to schedule an appointment online. We can't wait to meet you!
