Periodontal Treatment Layton, UT
Gum disease is a severe oral health condition reported to affect more than half of the United States citizens. Unfortunately, since the disease is so often overlooked in the early phases, it is often very advanced by the time it is detected, suggesting that permanent harm to oral health might have already developed.
Although gum disease is unpleasant and may negatively impact your teeth and overall well-being, it is treatable and often preventable.
WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?
Gum disease is an oral inflammatory infection triggered by bacteria-laden plaque invading the gums’ soft tissue. When this occurs, the gums get irritated and swollen and may begin to bleed when you brush your teeth, which is often referred to as gingivitis. Since the signs are usually mild, they can often be missed or dismissed. However, if care is not received immediately, the condition will worsen significantly.
SYMPTOMS OF GUM DISEASE
Many conditions appear to escalate with the worsening state of the gum disorder. Specific signals to see include:
- Red, swollen and tender gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, floss, or eat tough food
- Teeth that look elongated as a result of gum tissue receding
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Persistently bad breath
- Sores in your mouth
- Teeth that seem loose
- A change in how your teeth come together or in the way your partial denture fits.
If all of these signs occur, it is imperative to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists so we can make a clinical assessment of your teeth and gum health.
WHAT HAPPENS IF GUM DISEASE ISN’T TREATED?
Not only can the signs and complications of this condition become even worse, but your overall well-being can still be at risk of gum disease isn’t managed at the gingivitis level. Studies have found that periodontitis and severe and chronic health conditions, including asthma, heart failure, elevated blood pressure, liver and renal diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain types of cancer, are irrefutable.
HOW TO TREAT GUM DISEASE
Several various therapies will benefit you if you are suffering from gum disease. What is best for you depends on the situation and how severe your periodontitis is. Specific treatments most often prescribed include:
Scaling and polishing – One of the first treatments prescribed for gum diseases usually is scales and polishing. Your dentist can scrap the teeth from the plaque with special tools to stop the spread of gum disease. We will then polish your teeth to eliminate all other residue and stains to make the teeth appear clean and good.
Tooth scaling and root planning- This technique takes the scale and polish procedure a step further by cleaning the periodontal pockets, which are the tiny holes that form between the teeth and gums due to periodontitis. In some instances, your dentist may insert antibiotic fibers into these pockets to treat any infection, which is then discarded about a week later.
In addition to the care provided by our dentist, you must take responsibility for your oral health at home to help prevent the onset or progression of periodontal disease. This involves maintaining a robust oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and seeing the dentist regularly.
If you are worried that you might have gum disease and would like more details or schedule an appointment to evaluate your oral health, please do not hesitate to contact us.
