Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection in your gums. In the same way that harmful oral bacteria can cause cavities in your teeth, they can also cause damage to your gums.
You may have heard of gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. In this initial stage, you may be able to reverse the damage through increased oral hygiene practices. But once the disease progresses, professional help is often required to recover your smile.
While everyone can develop gum disease, there are people who are more at risk than others. You may need to be on the lookout for periodontal issues if you:
If you’re at a higher risk for periodontal issues, Dr. Gabriel will make sure you get the care you need. He can help you create an at-home and in-office plan to keep your mouth free of gum disease.
A deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a non-invasive treatment that can clear periodontal infections away. The procedure consists of two parts. During scaling, we’ll clean your teeth of any plaque and bacteria that have accumulated.
Then, we’ll plane the roots of your teeth. Planing simply involves smoothing out the surface of the roots, making bacteria less likely to attack them. This two-step plan of attack can usually reverse gum disease and get you on the road to recover your smile.
Arestin is often used in tandem with a scaling and root planing treatment. It’s an incredible antibiotic that can help keep bacteria away after your procedure. Dr. Gabriel places the Arestin treatment into your periodontal pockets to protect them from reinfection and give you a chance to improve your oral health.
Laser treatment is incredible for gum disease procedures because it’s much less painful, with less need for anesthesia during treatments. Scaling and root planing is better with laser tools due to their accuracy and ability to promote healing. You’ll recover from your periodontal treatment quicker and you’re less likely to encounter complications.
Periodontal disease can take a toll on your gums and affect the appearance of your smile. Once your infection has been cleared out, we can get to work improving your aesthetics. Gums that have receded don’t come back without professional help. Dr. Gabriel can perform a soft tissue graft to give you a healthy gumline again — not only does this treatment protect your teeth, but it also gives you a beautiful, natural-looking smile.
Gum disease is caused by harmful oral bacteria infecting your gums. When bacteria attack your teeth, they form cavities — below the gumline, they cause your gums to turn red, bleed more easily, and pull away from your teeth.
The most common contributor to gum disease is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss away the plaque on your teeth, it can lead to oral infections. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting Dr. Gabriel for regular cleanings can help keep you from developing gum disease.
Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Gingivitis can usually be reversed through increased oral hygiene practices at home and visits to the dentist for regular cleanings. Without taking action against gingivitis, it can develop into a more serious condition.
Periodontitis is more difficult to treat at home and usually requires professional treatment to recover from. Your gums will pull away from your teeth and form pockets, allowing bacteria easier access to your tooth roots and threatening your smile.
Gum disease can often be cured or reversed through at-home and professional treatment. Depending on the severity of your periodontal troubles, you may need additional procedures to fully recover from the infection. Gum disease can cause damage to your smile, such as receded gums and lost teeth that won’t come back without professional help.
Many patients with gingivitis or less severe periodontal disease can fully recover their smiles and reverse the effects. This does require increased oral hygiene practices at home and professional treatment, including regular cleanings, with Dr. Gabriel.
Gum disease can be partially treated at home by improving your oral hygiene routine. Examine the way you take care of your teeth and gums closely — are you brushing your teeth often enough? Do you floss regularly? Looking at these habits can help you improve them and may help you recover from periodontal problems.
To fully treat gum disease, professional help is necessary. You may need a scaling and root planing procedure to clear out all the bacteria where you can’t reach it with a brush or floss. Visiting Dr. Gabriel every six months for a regular checkup and cleaning can also help to keep gum disease away.