Periodontal disease and treatments
Treatment provided by our in-house periodontist!
It’s easy to devote so much attention to your teeth that you overlook the tissue that makes healthy teeth possible. Your gum tissue supports and nourishes your teeth, and without healthy gums, your beautiful smile will quickly deteriorate.
You might assume that you brush and floss enough to prevent gum disease, but the truth is that nearly 50% of American adults have some form of mild, moderate, or severe gum disease.
Whether you’re in the early stages with gingivitis or later stages of periodontitis, Your Bronx Dentist offers the comprehensive periodontal therapy you need to restore your oral health and save your smile.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, forms when too much bacteria build up on your teeth. Bacteria accumulates into plaque, and the longer that plaque sits on your teeth, the more harm it causes. This is why gum disease develops on a spectrum from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis.
The stages of gum disease
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Though mild, it shouldn’t be overlooked or ignored. Gingivitis develops when too much bacteria trigger inflammation that causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. You might not feel any real discomfort if you have gingivitis, but your dentist will be able to identify the disease and help you take steps to reverse the damage.
Gingivitis is completely reversible, but only with proper oral care. Untreated gingivitis gives plaque time to spread and grow below the gum line. This is extremely dangerous because bacteria breed toxins that trigger a chronic inflammatory response in the body. Chronic inflammation is a destructive process that causes the body to attack itself. This stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis, causes the breakdown of the tissues and bones that support your teeth.
Signs that may point to gum disease
Since gum disease changes over time, your symptoms will change as well. Pay special attention to any of the following oral health problems or issues, since they may indicate the early stages of gum disease:
If you missed the signs for gingivitis, your condition may already be considered a more severe form of periodontitis. The following symptoms indicate advanced gum disease:
How to treat gum disease with periodontal therapy
Our experienced team at Your Bronx Dentist has helped patients treat and control gum disease for more than 30 years.
We use scaling and root planing to thoroughly clean your mouth. These techniques don’t just clean the surfaces of your teeth, but are designed to remove plaque and tartar from the deep pockets of your gums. Scaling and planing are also used to smooth affected tooth roots and remove bacterial toxins from your mouth.
Following your scaling and root planing periodontal therapy, we’ll also help you create a customized treatment plan using antimicrobials, antibiotics, and other products that will prevent future infection and keep your gums as healthy as possible.
Call Your Bronx Dentist at (718) 654-3456 today to make an appointment to protect and preserve your mouth for years to come.