Your gums frame your smile and support your teeth, and are an essential part of a healthy smile. But when these same tissues develop gingivitis and periodontal disease, this could threaten your smile’s stability. But we can help! At our Southlake, TX, dental office, we can safeguard your smile with periodontal treatment.
The Causes and Risks of Periodontal Disease
How does poor gum health occur? This could be due to a number of factors. For example, inflammation, also known as gingivitis, could form due to poor brushing and flossing habits and a diet high in sugar, which creates plaque buildup that inflames the gum tissues. Inflammation could also occur due to certain medications, illnesses, a family history of poor gum health, or tobacco use. Without treatment to reverse this inflammation, the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets for disease-causing bacteria to enter, leading to the disease. Without treatment, the disease could reach a more advanced stage known as periodontitis, which causes adult tooth loss!
Symptoms to Watch For
You should let our team know if you encounter changes to your gums, as this could indicate gingivitis or the early stages of the disease. Warning signs could include soreness in the gums, redness, bleeding, swelling, or even recession that makes teeth appear long and uneven. When you encounter one or more of these symptoms, please reach out to our team. We will conduct a diagnosis to assess the health of your smile and decide if you need potential treatment. For many, this includes a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing.
Scaling and Root Planing
First, we will numb the smile since this is more involved than a traditional cleaning. Once you are comfortable, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently and thoroughly break up the plaque and tartar buildup on the surfaces of the teeth and the exposed roots, as well as beneath their gums too. This could take a single visit, or as many as four, it all depends on the severity of your buildup. We then polish the teeth for a brighter smile and to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to form on the surfaces of the teeth before your next cleaning appointment. We typically recommend a routine cleaning every three to four months afterward to manage the issue and keep your smile healthy and whole.
If you have any questions, contact our team today!
Find Out More About Periodontal Treatment With Tate Family Dentistry In Southlake, TX
We would like to help you enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come. To learn more about how we improve your gum health, give us a call at our Southlake, TX dental office at (817) 481-6364.