When a person develops gum disease, there is no cure. Over time, this issue could grow worse and even threaten the stability of your smile. Fortunately, your El Paso, TX, dentists know how to manage the issue with routine treatment both in-office and at-home. In today’s blog, learn how we manage and control periodontal disease.
The Dangers of Periodontitis
Gum disease grows more severe with time. The issue starts with inflammation, also known as gingivitis, which can be reversed with the right treatments. However, once the inflammation has caused the gums to pull away from the teeth and create deep pockets for bacteria to enter, then the disease begins. There is no cure for periodontal disease, and instead management is necessary to avoid the advanced stage, known as periodontitis. The advanced stage actually destroys the tissues that connect your teeth and gums, leading to adult tooth loss!
Warning Signs
In the gingivitis stage, or the early stages of gum disease, you may notice your gums appear more red than usual, feel sore, or even bleed when your brush and floss. If you begin to exhibit these warning signs, then please contact our office right away for treatment. In the gingivitis stage, we could administer a scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, to remove all plaque from the teeth and roots and reverse gingivitis. The procedure takes between one and four visits, depending on the extent of your buildup, and ends with our team polishing your smile.
Managing Your Disease
If you have gum disease, we may use a scaling and root planing to reduce inflammation, and then routine cleanings every three to four months to continue to keep your smile healthy. For more severe cases, advanced laser dentistry may be used to contour the smile, removing diseased tissues from the smile and reshaping the gum line to help improve periodontal health. At home, you should continue the process by avoiding tobacco products, brushing and flossing daily to remove the food particles that cause plaque buildup, and eating a healthier diet. Plaque is a major cause of gum inflammation, so routine treatment to reduce and remove plaque helps protect your periodontal health. If you have any questions about preventing these issues, or if you have sore gums that bleed easily, then please contact our team to talk about possible solutions and undergo a thorough exam!
SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO PROVIDES PERIODONTAL CARE
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, we want to help people enjoy healthier smiles with routine treatment to improve gum health. For more information on managing poor periodontal health, then contact our N. Zaragoza dental practice by calling 915-849-9000.