PERIODONTAL THERAPY AT VALLEY DENTAL
‘Periodontal Therapy’ is a catch-all term that refers to the treatment of gum disease. Unfortunately, gum health often takes a lesser priority when compared to problems that directly affect the teeth, such as a cavity or root canal. However, failing to properly care for you gums can cause you to lose the very foundation of all your pearly whites. If you’re searching for a dentist in Onalaska, WI, it’s important to find a professional who will pay attention to your oral health as a whole.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection or inflammation of the gums & the loss of bone and attachment . In its early stages, it’s typically not a cause for concern and can be treated without much fanfare. If you want to avoid it, you’ll need to make oral hygiene a priority. This means brushing, flossing, cutting back on sugar, and seeing your dentist regularly. Routine periodontal maintenance appointments prevent plaque from forcing your gums to recede and bacteria from further eroding the bones in the mouth and jaw.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Gum disease doesn’t always present with any symptoms, meaning you might not experience any pain, redness, or irritation at first. The typical signs of gum disease are gums that bleed and/or are swollen (particularly when flossing) or bad breath. These symptoms could potentially mean other dental problems are present as well, so it’s important not to assume. The best way to keep informed on your gum health is to get regular checkups with a periodontist in Onalaska, WI.
IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE ALWAYS CAUSED BY POOR DENTAL HYGIENE?
No. While poor dental hygiene is a contributing factor, periodontal disease can also be caused by genetics, chronic disease, medications taken, or strong hormonal fluctuations. Other risk factors include cancer and diabetes. Even puberty or pregnancy can potentially bring about a periodontal flare-up.
What Is Periodontal Therapy?
Periodontal therapy can range from oral surgery to scaling and root planning. For mild to moderate periodontal disease, the doctor or hygienist will clean the plaque from under the surface of the root of the tooth. This will release any bacteria that’s been building up and causing irritation to the gums. A dentist can also smooth out the root’s surface, essentially making it difficult for bacteria to stick to it.
Surgical options may include gum grafts, which takes healthy tissue and maps it onto the diseased portion of your mouth. The tissue can either come from a donor or be taken from a viable part of your own mouth. Or you may need gum flap surgery, where the gums are cut and folded back so the roots can be thoroughly cleaned.
Regardless of the type of therapy you need, all therapies are designed to restore your gums to health. Dentists will try to choose the least invasive option if possible. Although surgery may be needed if your gums have sustained a significant degree of damage.
FINDING A PERIODONTIST IN ONALASKA, WI
Regular checkups are the key to staving off the worst in gum damage, particularly if you face one or more risk factors. Even though this is one of the more preventable conditions in the dental field, it’s also one of the most common. This is unfortunate when you consider the connection between oral health and the rest of the body. For instance, periodontal disease is correlated with an increased risk of heart disease. The good news is that taking action about it sooner rather than later can make all the difference. In addition to brushing and flossing regularly, routine cleanings can get rid of everything you left behind, and root scaling can take care of the rest. At Valley Dental, we’re here to recommend treatments that can keep your gums in good shape for many years to come.
