Periodontal Treatment Summerville
Tooth decay and root canal infections are just a couple of the dental problems that have a direct impact on your oral health. But other serious dental problems affect your teeth indirectly even though they may not be as obvious.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an infection of the gums that puts otherwise healthy teeth at risk. If your teeth don’t have a healthy, strong foundation, gum disease can take its toll and you may even face loss of one or more teeth.
How Gum Disease Starts
Periodontal infection (gum disease) develops when bacteria build up between your teeth and gums. Over time, these bacteria do damage, leading to symptoms like redness, inflammation, tender gums, and tooth pain or sensitivity. Since gum disease primarily affects the gums, you may have a difficult time understanding how your teeth are also impacted by this disease.
Your gums actually play an important role in supporting the teeth. They hold the teeth in place and absorb impact when you chew or bite down. If the health of the gums suffers, so will the health of the teeth.
Without treatment, gum disease continues to worsen. In the early stages of periodontal infection, you may not notice any warning signs. Over time, the infection gets worse, and your gums begin to recede or pull away from the teeth, which leaves gaps, or “pockets” of space. Lacking proper support, the tooth or teeth become unstable, eventually leading to tooth loss.
Treating Gum Disease in 29483
If you suffer from gum disease, root planing and scaling is an effective treatment option. Root planing and scaling are used to deep clean the teeth down to the roots beneath the gum line.
This procedure is highly effective for treating mild to moderate gum disease. This is especially true when gum disease causes pockets to form between the teeth and gums.
These pockets are dangerous because they allow plaque, tartar, and bacteria to settle between gums and teeth and reach the tooth's roots. Since areas below the gum line are difficult to clean with a toothbrush, the open pockets can also lead to decay, infection, and even tooth loss. Root planing and scaling must be performed to remove debris below the gum line and close periodontal pockets.
Root Planing and Scaling
Root planing and scaling is a relatively simple procedure. First, we numb your gums to ensure that you remain comfortable during treatment. Then our hygienist will use special instruments to gently clear away any tartar or other debris from the teeth, both at and below the gum line. In cases where large pockets have formed, we may recommend an application of antibiotics to prevent infection as the gums heal and the pockets close.
Schedule Your Next Tooth Cleaning in Summerville
As serious as gum disease is, it is highly preventable. If you would like to avoid ever having to deal with the problems associated with gum disease, we urge you to maintain routine dental visits to Azalea Dental. By scheduling and keeping these appointments, you can stay one step ahead of gum disease and ensure your oral health.
