Periodontal Disease Treatment (Gum Disease)
Lifetime Dental & Implant Center provides periodontal services for all stages of gum disease to restore your oral health. Gum disease is a serious condition and there's no time to wait if you think you may be affected.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Katy, TX
Gum disease also called periodontal disease or periodontitis is an infection of the gums and bone in the mouth. Left untreated periodontal disease can cause severe damage to the gums, teeth, and bones. No part of your oral health is safe from its effects.
Redness of the gums, swelling, and bleeding of the gums are the first signs of gum disease. This first stage is known as gingivitis and it will develop without intervention in the form of improved oral hygiene and regular cleanings at your dentist’s office.
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What signs should I look for if I'm worried about gum disease?
Gum irritation, discomfort, and bleeding from the mouth when cleaning your teeth are the first signs of gum disease. If left unchecked to develop your gums will begin to contract from your teeth creating space that will fill with infection and cavity-causing bacteria. At more advanced stages of the disease bone and teeth loss will eventually occur.
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What can cause periodontal disease?
The most common cause of gum disease is chronic periodontitis. This occurs because of a lack of proper oral hygiene that allows bacteria to collect on the gums. This bacteria given enough neglect hardens into tartar which cannot be easily removed through a regular oral hygiene routine.
Another potential cause is called aggressive periodontitis, a fast-acting genetic condition that can develop at any age.
A rare cause is necrotizing periodontal disease which usually occurs in those with autoimmune disorders and certain chronic diseases. A lack of proper circulation caused by another condition chokes off blood to the gums and jawbones. This causes gum retraction and other elements associated with hygiene-originating periodontitis.
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How is periodontal disease or gum disease treated?
The proper treatment for gum disease depends upon the stage of the disease. Scaling and root planning are the normal treatments for periodontitis. This involves our dentist removing tartar and oral bacteria from the areas made more likely to collect plaque because of gum retraction. Those same areas are then smoothed, eliminating periodontal pockets, and making it harder for bacteria to fill them going forward.
For more severe cases bone grafting is required. This is because in advanced cases where bacteria has seeped into the bones it causes a loss of bone mass over time. New bone can be generated however through surgical means by the placement of proteins and other materials into the affected bones. If teeth have been lost, this bone grafting is necessary to for their restoration in the form of dental implants.
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What is gum recession?
Gum recession becomes more common as we age, and many of us are predisposed genetically. However, injuries, tobacco use, and other factors can make gum recession happen at age any, or simply exacerbate it.
The phrase long in the tooth isn’t for nothing, unusually long-looking teeth are a common symptom of gum recession. Sensitivity and pain when cleaning your teeth are also common signs. A dentist appointment is the best and only way to be sure, however. If caught early gum recession can be treated and corrected before it worsens.
More Questions?
If you have any questions about periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment please contact our office and we will be happy to answer any questions.