Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is caused by bacteria in plaque.  If not consistently removed, this bacteria builds up, infecting your teeth, gums, and eventually the bone that supports your teeth – a common cause of tooth loss.  This disease has three stages of progression: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis; the longer the disease has to advance, the more damage it causes. 

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:

• Tenderness or Discomfort: plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums
• Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
• Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food
• Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before
• Loose or separating teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Sores in your mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended by your South Range Dental team.  It is usually done one side of the mouth at a time while the area is numb.  In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing).  This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink.  Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.