Your gums frame your smile and support your teeth. Which means when you develop a high risk for gum disease, this could lead to discomfort, and negative changes to your smile beauty. You could also be susceptible to tooth loss! In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about our periodontal treatment options.
The Causes of Periodontal Disease
What causes periodontal disease? The problem starts with gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis. When the gums become inflamed, they can eventually pull away from the teeth and form pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter, which leads to periodontal disease. Without treatment, this can grow in severity until you reach the periodontitis stage, which is when adult tooth loss occurs. The factors behind the inflammation and disease include plaque buildup brought on by diets high in sugar and starch and poor brushing and flossing habits, infrequent visits for dental cleanings, smoking and tobacco use, a family history of the disease, or the presence of inflammatory illnesses or medications.
Warning Signs and Complications
What are the signs you need treatment? Warning signs of periodontal disease may include sore gums, redness, bleeding, swelling, and recession that makes teeth appear long or uneven. When one or more of these potential symptoms apply to you, please let us know right away so we can schedule a solution and conduct a diagnosis. We then assess the cause and extent of the disease, so we can offer treatment to manage it and prevent periodontitis. The later stage is known for discomfort and the risk of adult tooth loss.
Ultrasonic Scaling
One way we address the disease and manage it is with a scaling and root planing. The procedure involves using the same ultrasonic scaling device we employ as part of our cleanings to remove buildup from the teeth, roots, and even beneath the gum line. We want to smooth the root portions as well, so there are no crags for harmful bacteria to cling to. The procedure could take one visit or as many as four, it all depends on the extent of your buildup. The last step is to polish the teeth to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to the teeth, and to brighten your smile too.
Dental Cleanings
In the early stages of the disease, or following a scaling and root planing, we can use a dental cleaning to protect the smile. The procedure uses the same ultrasonic scaling device, but is designed to remove buildup only from the surfaces of the teeth. This can help manage periodontal disease when done every three to four months, but traditionally happens every six months for people with health gums. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and is key for a brighter and healthy smile.
Tooth Extraction
What happens if the advanced stage of the disease has worn down bone structure and causes teeth to become loose? In these situations, we may need to extract the teeth as part of your periodontal treatment, so we can manage the disease. Our team can then discuss treatments to correct the damage to the gum and bone tissues, and once we manage the issue, we can discuss tooth replacement with options like dental implants, so you can regain a full smile and enjoy optimal oral health.
Better Homecare
Our team wants to see you for routine cleanings to control plaque buildup and manage issues like gingivitis and periodontal disease, so you can continue to enjoy a full and healthy smile. But in between these office visits, you also need to practice good oral hygiene habits. For example, make sure you brush and floss daily to remove stray food and drink particles, and to control plaque and tartar buildup before your next cleaning. Also, avoiding a diet with too much sugar and starch can be helpful too, as this deprives harmful oral bacteria of a meal and limits buildup and inflammation. Avoid tobacco products too, as this can worsen your gum disease.
If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like periodontal disease, or how we prevent or treat tooth loss, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you smile with confidence and enjoy optimal oral health for years to come.
Schedule a Visit for Periodontal Treatment!
We want to help protect your gum health, so your smile can remain healthy and whole! Give us a call at My Dentist in Londonderry, NH at (603)965-3407 today. We can help your gums remain strong and healthy, and discuss solutions for tooth loss as well.
