What is Gum Disease?
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the supporting tissues of the teeth. It is typically caused by poor oral hygiene habits that allow plaque to build up on the teeth and harden, eventually affecting the gums.
If left untreated, gum disease can lead to various oral health issues like inflamed and bleeding gums, a receding gum line, bacteria-filled pockets between the teeth and gums, and eventual bone loss.
Prevention of gum disease involves regular brushing and flossing, routine dental check-ups and cleanings to remove any built-up plaque or tartar. In some cases, more intensive treatments like scaling, root planing or surgery may be necessary to treat the condition.
Gum Disease Therapy
Periodontal treatment methods depend on the type and severity of the disease. Our dentists will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your particular case.
Following the completion of your periodontal treatment, our dental team will recommend that you have regular dental examinations and preventive therapy, usually four times a year.
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Preventive Gum Therapy
If the disease is caught in the early stages, preventive therapy will be recommended.
Regular hygiene cleanings and exams are important for maintaining the health of your gums.
By practicing good oral hygiene at home and eating a balanced diet, you can also significantly reduce your chances of ever getting gum disease.
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Non-Surgical Gum Therapy
For patients with mild gum disease, a deep cleaning performed by a dental hygienist may be enough to reverse it.
The dental hygienist will scrape away the plaque and tartar around and below the gum line, and smooth out any rough areas left behind through a process called scaling and root planing.
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Surgical Gum Therapy
For patients with more advanced forms of gum disease, more invasive surgical treatments may be necessary to reverse it.
There are a few different types of surgical gum therapies, such as gum grafting and bone grafting.
Cosmetic Gum Therapy
You may be a candidate for gum grafting if your gums are too low or too high on your teeth and you are unhappy with your smile. This cosmetic dental procedure may be able to even out an uneven gum line and reduce the perceived length of the teeth, providing you with a smile to be proud of.
Placing Dental Implants
Periodontics also includes the placement of dental implants beneath the gum line as part of the tooth replacement process. This procedure can provide a number of oral health benefits after a dental implant is placed, the gums have healed, and a tooth replacement is added.