State-of-the-Art Periodontal Care Can Protect Your Smile and Overall Health
Gum disease can have devastating effects for your smile and lifelong oral health. It may even impact your overall physical wellness. Research shows that periodontitis may increase your risk for heart disease and related health conditions. To protect your oral-systemic health Dr. Marcy Goldin and Dr. David Whalen offer effective periodontal care at their Troy, MI, practice. Scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, is one of the most common treatments. At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, we use we use precise and gentle techniques to provide the most comfortable and efficient care.
Gum Treatment
At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute in Oakland County, we provide treatments for patients who have periodontal (gum) disease. It is best to treat gum disease at an early stage. It has the best chance of healing and not progressing if we treat it early.
What You Should Know about Periodontal Disease
When harmful oral bacteria build up along your gum line, it can cause mild inflammation and occasional bleeding. This condition is called gingivitis. Without proper care, gingivitis will progress to full periodontitis. If you develop this chronic condition, the bacteria will form pockets in your gums around your teeth. As the pockets get larger, your gums will start to recede and pull away from your tooth roots. This process will severely weaken your teeth, and it could eventually lead to extensive tooth loss. Other symptoms of periodontitis can include severe bleeding, dental sensitivity, chronic bad breath, visible gum recession, and jawbone recession.
Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that causes the tissue, ligaments, and bone surrounding the teeth to break down.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
If you are suffering from gingivitis, your dentist can usually treat it with a standard dental cleaning. Once the condition progresses to periodontitis, you will typically require scaling and root planing. During this procedure, your dental hygienist will clean out the periodontal pockets and remove the tartar and diseased cementum (a hard layer of tissue that helps attach the periodontal ligament) from below the gum line. He or she will also smooth the uneven surfaces of your dental roots, making it harder for bacteria to gather there.
Good periodontal care can protect your heart health. Research has linked gum disease to an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
In many cases, your dentist will combine scaling and root planing with a topical antibiotic, such as Arestin®. If you have particularly severe gum disease, he or she may recommend periodontal surgery. Your care could include tissue grafting or the removal of diseased tissue.
Why Is Periodontal Treatment So Important?
If you are suffering from the symptoms of gum disease, it is crucial to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If bacteria continue to multiply, you could eventually experience widespread tooth loss. Your jawbone could also recede, dramatically altering the shape of your face.
Even more importantly, good periodontal care can protect your heart health. Research has linked gum disease to an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Many scientists believe that gum disease directly contributes to these conditions. Others think that a gum disease diagnosis can help your doctor detect heart disease early on. Scientists continue to investigate the connection between the two conditions. However, no one doubts that periodontal treatment can have important consequences for your long-term health outlook.
Contact Us to Schedule the Care You Need
Periodontal disease can be serious, but it is very treatable when caught early. To benefit from our advanced and highly effective care, contact the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute today.
