The health of your gums is important, as these tissues frame your smile and keep your teeth in place. Which is why if you have periodontal disease or gingivitis, we want to offer care to manage the issue and protect your smile. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about how we diagnose and manage issues like periodontal disease.
The Causes of the Gum Disease
How does a person develop gum disease? The disease typically forms when the gum tissues become inflamed, eventually pulling away from the teeth to form pockets that disease-causing bacteria can enter, leading to the onset of periodontal disease. The initial inflammation could be due to plaque buildup, poor brushing and flossing habits, and a diet high in sugar and starch. Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products could be a factor too, as could inflammatory illnesses or the use of certain medications. Our team will assess the possible causes when we examine your smile!
The Warning Signs
What are the warning signs that you need treatment for periodontal disease? You may notice your gums feel sore or appear redder than usual. There could be bleeding when you brush and floss, and you may notice the gum tissues recede and expose root structure, so teeth appear longer and uneven. When you develop one or more of these potential symptoms, then please reach out to our team today right away. Our team will conduct a detailed diagnosis with advanced digital imaging technology, so we can assess the cause and severity of the disease, and create a treatment plan to bring relief.
The Link to Tooth Loss
Without treatment, the disease could reach a more advanced stage known as periodontitis. At this stage, the tissues connecting your teeth and gums could become severe, which causes loose teeth and tooth loss. In fact, this is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. But treatment to manage the disease could prevent the periodontitis stage, so you avoid issues like tooth loss and keep your smile whole and healthy.
Scaling and Root Planing
For the early stages of treatment, our team could offer a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. We will start by numbing the smile and then using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to remove all plaque and tartar gently and thoroughly from the teeth, roots, and beneath the gum line. The procedure could take one visit or up to four, it all depends on the severity of your buildup. We then complete the procedure by polishing the teeth for a smoother and brighter appearance, and to limit the ability of plaque and tartar to adhere to the teeth before your next traditional cleaning. We recommend these traditional cleanings every three to four months following your deep cleaning, so you can avoid worsening inflammation and keep your smile healthy and whole.
Gum Grafts
What about your receding gums? This could not only change the appearance of your smile, but could leave your teeth vulnerable to issues like tooth decay and infection, and increase the risk of tooth loss. But our team can offer a gum graft, in which we take tissue from other parts of your smile and cover the exposed portions of the roots to rebuild the gum line, improving symmetry and health.
Dental Implants
What if you have lost teeth due to the disease? If so, we can offer some of the treatments mentioned above to manage it, and then we can plan the placement of dental implants. These are unique titanium posts, which are biocompatible and inserted into the jawbone, acting like new roots. The post can stay in place for decades to come, or possibly a lifetime. We will then complete them by attaching an abutment and crown to the post, so you have a full and attractive replacement tooth that blends with your smiles seamlessly. We can also use several posts to support bridges or even a complete set of dentures, so you can smile with confidence again.
If you have any questions about how we manage your gum health and prevent the loss of your teeth due to gum disease, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you smile with confidence and avoid issues that threaten long-term health and stability.
TALK TO YOUR LAKE ORION, MI, DENTIST ABOUT PERIODONTAL TREATMENT
We want to help you enjoy good oral health and avoid the major complications of untreated periodontal disease. Find out more about improving periodontal health and keeping your smile whole and beautiful by contacting Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
