Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment
Surprise, AZ
The teeth get all the glory! People forget how crucial a role gums play in the health of your mouth. When your gums suffer, your whole mouth suffers. At Surprise Smiles, we recognize the important role that gums play and will do our best to keep you educated on what it takes to keep them healthy.
At our Surprise, AZ office, we offer gum disease treatment procedures that can help to bring gums back from the brink.
David Frausto, DDS, Diana Kim, DDS and Dr. Bethany Armendariz will help patients develop the best treatment plans possible.
What is Gum Disease?
Everyone knows that if you don't take care of your teeth, you will get cavities. The same concept applies to your gums, if you don't take care of them they will become infected - this infection is known as gum disease or periodontitis.
The bad bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay and gum disease is known as plaque. When it builds up and isn't washed away by your brushing and flossing it just accumulates.
As plaque accumulates on your teeth it will eventually harden into a substance known as tartar.
If you ignore your oral hygiene duties for long enough, eventually plaque will even start to build up below your gum line.
That's right, that fuzzy, gross stuff that show up on your teeth can even show up on the roots of your teeth. When it shows up on the roots, that's when gum disease gets its first chance.
Early Stage
When gum disease is just starting out it will be hard for you to notice. There aren't real big symptoms for you to take heed of, instead it's small stuff. Here are some warning signs that you may be developing gum disease:
| • | Gums that bleed easily or frequently
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| • | Gums that are red
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| • | Gums that are swollen
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| • | Persistent bad breath |
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should set up an appointment to be seen by us right away. The one good thing about early stage gum disease is that it is reversible. If we catch it early and take aggressive measures to stop it's spread, we can return your gums to a healthy state.
Late Stage
When gum disease reaches the late stage it's often referred to as periodontitis. Periodontitis is not curable, and can have a devastating impact on your oral health. Everything from tooth loss, to bone and soft tissue loss can be brought on by periodontitis. It's even linked to general health conditions like stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Here are some of the symptoms and issues that accompany periodontal disease:
| • | Gums that aren't flush with teeth
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| • | Food and particulate matter between gums and teeth
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| • | Tooth loss
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| • | Bone loss
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| • | Soft tissue loss
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| • | Loose teeth
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| • | Permanent bad breath |
| • | Change in bite |
| • | TMJ pain |
How to Prevent Periodontitis
Gum disease is a serious illness and should be avoided at all costs. Fortunately, it isn't hard to avoid gum disease with regular oral hygiene. Always brush after meals and floss at least once a day. Don't forget that a normal part of every oral hygiene routine is showing up to our office at least twice a year for regular cleanings and exams.
Treatments for Periodontal Disease
Treatment for periodontal disease includes scaling and root planing, deep cleaning, and flap surgery, among others.
Essentially, scaling involves the removal of plaque and hardened tartar from around your gum line. This means the removal of bacteria from your gum line. This will leave your gums healthy and refreshed. Scaling is effective because your dentist will clean your gums through the bottom of the pocket.
Root planing comes next. During root planing, we will use a tool to carefully push your gum tissue to one side and walk through the surface of the roots. They will expose the roots, which naturally stay hidden. We will then clean your roots by removing tartar and plaque that can contribute to spreading bacteria and infection.
This deep cleaning method helps clear out any bacteria residing on the surface of your roots, thus, smoothing it out for your teeth to sit comfortably.
These effective methods will completely clean your mouth and bring your comfort level back up.
You can also discuss the possibilities of periodontal flap surgery if needed.
Schedule Periodontal Treatment With Your Surprise, AZ Dentist Team Today!
If you are experiencing bleeding or swollen gums, receding gums, or any pain in your gums, schedule a consultation with us today! Contact Surprise Smiles by calling us at (602) 842-4864.
