Periodontal Disease and Treatment
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What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infectious condition that affect structures in the oral cavity which are responsible for supporting teeth firmly in their place. The most common periodontal diseases are Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Both are harmful, and if left untreated, can lead to the development of painful symptoms, and eventually result in early loss of teeth.
What are the symptoms of these periodontal diseases?
Gingivitis is a very common condition that mostly stems from inadequate, or complete lack of dental cleaning, often accompanied by habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake. The case of improper oral hygiene, bacteria, food debris and plaque get deposited and accumulates between the teeth and around the gums. This irritates the soft tissues and causes them to swell. The common symptoms of this infection include bleeding upon brushing, redness and swelling of gums, pain, tenderness, sensitivity, and in later stages, formation of pockets between the gums.
If Gingivitis is left untreated, it may turn into a more harmful, highly aggressive infection known as Periodontitis. The latter is a severe disease of the soft tissues that is characterized by redness, swelling and profuse bleeding of the gums, pain, foul mouth odor (halitosis), gingival pocket formation, recession of the gums, exposure of the roots of the teeth, dental mobility, and finally, premature falling out of natural teeth.
How are periodontal infections treated at the clinic?
At Salado Creek Dental, Dr Tom Trinh and his team of experts make sure that your oral health is being evaluated routinely to prevent the development of any harmful gum diseases. We make sure that we educate all our patients on proper brushing techniques and at-home oral healthcare routines that can keep disease at bay effectively.
Gingivitis is a fairly reversible condition that usually only takes some lifestyle modifications, change of habits, and thorough professional cleanings. We recommend ultra-sonic scaling as one of the most effective ways of treating this infection. The accumulated plaque, bacteria and food debris are dislodged and removed from around the crown and below the gum to relieve soft tissue irritation. Patients are then advised to brush teeth regularly and use medicated mouth washes to restore gingival health.
Periodontitis one the other hand, requires more than just cleaning for effective reversal. Because the condition is highly aggressive in nature, it requires antibiotic and surgical intervention. This is carried out in a number of different phases and appointments.
The most effective way of keeping periodontal infections at bay is to visit the dental office twice a year for routine checkups and dental cleanings. You must also practice a good oral hygiene regiment at home and steer clear of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and the use of tobacco.
If you wish to learn more about how you can keep your gums healthy, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to help you out!