Peridontal (Gum) Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is insidious. It is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as Gingivitis. Left untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis which ultimately destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth AND the bone that holds your teeth in place. Except for bad breath and gums that bleed, there are very few early warning signals. The disease advances silently, often without pain, and before you know it, you are losing your teeth and you don’t know why.
Tooth loss is only the most obvious indicator of gum disease. Scientific research has discovered linkage between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes – even an increased risk for pregnant women. When your gums become diseased, your entire immune system is weakened.
In the past, fear of painful dental surgery has kept people with gum disease from seeking the care they needed. Well, those days are gone forever.
Periodontal Treatment
Gentle Dental Care, a Houston-area dentistry with seven convenient locations, offers periodontal treatment. We have the following treatment options available:
- Non Surgical Treatments such as scaling and root planing, which is the careful cleaning of the root of the tooth to clear out plaque build-up and tartar. This is followed up with antimicrobial treatments, antibiotics, and host modulation (as needed).
- Gum graft surgery, which repairs receding gums eroded by gingivital decay. This surgical procedure can help repair damaged gums and prevent further erosion and bone loss.
- Dental crowns
- Dental implants
Treatments will vary from person to person. We strongly recommend scheduling an appointment today to discuss the right periodontal treatment plan for you.