Oral hygiene: Scaling and root planing (conventional periodontal therapy). Medically accurate 3D illustration of human teeth treatment
Our gums help frame our smile and support our teeth, meaning they secure our teeth and help ensure a good-looking smile too. But when the gums become diseased, care is needed to avoid discomfort and even tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist explains how we keep gums strong with periodontics.
What causes periodontal disease to form in our smiles? The trouble starts when the gums become inflamed, leading to gingivitis. This could be due to a diet high in sugar and poor brushing and flossing habits, which allow plaque buildup to coat the teeth and irritate the gums. Gingivitis could also be due to infrequent cleanings, tobacco use, a family story of the disease, or certain illnesses or medications. When the disease develops, you may notice sore, red gums that bleed easily, or recession that makes teeth appear long. When these potential symptoms occur, let us know right away so we can conduct a diagnosis.
You need treatment for gingivitis or gum disease because otherwise, the issue continues to grow in severity. Over time, this could lead to periodontitis, the late stage that actually destroys the connecting tissues between the teeth and gums to cause loose and missing teeth. You need treatment to halt discomfort and avoid the loss of your natural teeth. Our team can help! To begin, we will examine your smile with advanced digital imaging technology to make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. From there, we can choose the most appropriate treatment option.
For many cases, we can conduct a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. The procedure enables our team to remove harmful plaque and tartar from the teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick. We then polish the teeth for a brighter appearance and to make it difficult for more buildup to cling to the teeth before your next cleaning appointment. For some, this could take one visit, while others may need several. We can follow this with a traditional cleaning every three to four months and antibacterial medications to control inflammation and safeguard your smile.
If you have any questions about how we treat periodontal disease, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you smile with confidence and enjoy a whole and beautiful smile!
Our team wants to ensure your gums can continue to frame and support your smile! For more information on improving gum health and keeping your smile whole, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith and our team by calling Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111.
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