We often talk about the treatments we offer to repair teeth, replace them when they’re lost, or to even improve the beauty of them. But what about your gums? If you suffer from periodontal disease, you risk the loss of your natural teeth. But your Lake Orion, MI, dentist can help with periodontal services.
The Causes of Gum Disease
According to studies from the Centers for Disease Control, half of adults ages 30 and older suffer from some form of periodontal disease. This could be caused by factors that irritate and inflame the gums, such as lack of proper brushing and flossing, and a diet high in sugar and starch, which could lead to plaque buildup that inflames the tissues. Tobacco use and lack of six-month dental cleanings to remove buildup could be a factor, as could a family history of the disease. The use of certain medications and inflammatory diseases could also be potential causes.
The Symptoms of Poor Periodontal Health
How do you know if you need to seek treatment for the disease? Symptoms could include sore, red gums that bleed easily. You could also encounter swelling along the gum line, or even tissues that pull away from the teeth to make them appear long or uneven. When you experience changes like these, you should contact our team for a diagnosis. With digital imaging technology, we will look for warning signs of disease and underlying factors, we will also measure the depth of periodontal pockets and the risk posed to your teeth. From there, we create a treatment plan to manage the disease and protect your smile.
The Long-Term Impacts
Over time, lack of treatment could mean the disease reaches a more advanced stage. Periodontitis then causes the tissues that connect the teeth and gums to become severed, leading to loose and missing teeth. In fact, this is the number one cause of adult tooth loss! The disease also weakens the strength of the jawbone, which also impacts the stability of your smile. To avoid disease and keep your smile whole, you need to undergo treatment to manage the disease and protect stability.
Scaling and Root Planing
In many cases, we can manage the disease starting with a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. This procedure enables our team to remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup from both the teeth and the roots, including beneath the gum line. In the process, we also destroy harmful pockets of bacteria. Our team employs an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove the buildup, which could take one to two visits, or up to four, depending on the severity of your buildup. We then palsy the teeth to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to them before your next cleaning, and to also brighten your smile. Afterward, traditional dental cleanings every three to four months can help manage the disease and safeguard your smile.
Periodontal Surgery
In some situations, you any have a case so severe that you need surgical intervention. With laser dentistry, we can gently trim away the diseased tissues with precision, improving the gum line and allowing healthy tissues to reattach to the teeth. This helps us manage the disease moving forward with preventive options, such as medications and cleanings. The use of lasers means we treat areas with accuracy and avoid damage to healthy tissues, while also lowering the risk of bleeding, swelling, and infection. In many cases, patients don’t even need anesthesia.
Protection at Home
Following your treatment, we will discuss ways to continue to care for your smile from home. At home, you should try to cut back on sugar and starch, as these ingredients feed harmful bacteria that causes plaque and tartar buildup. We also recommend avoiding tobacco products and making time to brush and floss daily, removing trapped food and drink particles. Our team can remove harmful buildup every few months with a cleaning, and we also monitor your gum tissues so ensure your smile continues to stay healthy and whole.
If you have any questions about our periodontal services, then contact our team today to learn more. With our periodontal services, we hope to help you maintain a full and beautiful smile for years to come.
Ready to Schedule a Visit for Periodontal Services?
Our team knows that healthy gums protect your smile’s stability and beauty, so be sure to see us for regular treatments every six months. Find out more about our periodontal services and other treatment options by contacting Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
