Periodontal Therapy: An Overview
Gum disease and gingivitis are some of the most common dental concerns that patients seek help for. As your trusted restorative dentist in Columbia, Maryland, we are here to help you restore your smile from the negative effects of gum disease. Your gums play an essential role in your overall health and well-being.
Our periodontal therapy services include surgical and non-surgical procedures to help restore the health of your gums. We are equipped to handle all of your periodontal needs under one roof, so you don’t have to worry. Our goal is to restore your smile back to its best condition and help you get back to a lifetime of good oral hygiene.
Cropped portrait of an affectionate senior couple standing in their home
Periodontal Therapy in Columbia, MD
Periodontal therapy aims to restore the damaged tissue of your gums caused by gum disease. Dental plaque is the main cause of gum disease, making it essential to practice good brushing and flossing habits daily. However, the mouth has many hard-to-reach areas, making it easy for bacteria to fester and eat away at your teeth’s soft, supportive tissues. When this happens, our doctors will need to begin treating you through our variety of periodontal therapy treatment solutions, which can include:
- Dental Cleaning – Often, if we catch plaque and tartar early enough, we can prevent gingivitis from progressing to gum disease. We recommend scheduling regular dental cleanings with our team at least twice yearly to avoid bacteria buildup.
- Scaling and Root Planing – This technique involves a deep cleaning below the gum line if the pockets between your gums and teeth are too big.
- Laser Dentistry – Our solutions allow us to gently remove the diseased tissue and tartar buildup from the gum line using the latest dental technology.
Periodontal Therapy FAQs
What are some symptoms of the early stages of gum disease?
Receding gums, sensitivity to brushing and flossing, red gums, loose teeth, and bad breath are all early symptoms of gum disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, you should see your dentist and ask if they are concerned about your gum health.
What causes periodontal disease?
Various oral hygiene issues regarding plaque buildup can cause periodontal diseases. When plaque forms near or underneath the gums and is not cleaned properly, it can harden, causing gum irritation. Smoking tobacco, obesity, recreational drug use, and poor oral habits can also contribute to periodontal disease.
What are periodontal diseases?
Periodontal diseases are serious infections of the gum that cause damage to the soft tissue. If left untreated, this can cause tooth loss later down the line. Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease, but it is the first type to occur and the most mild. Periodontal disease is broken up into four stages: gingivitis, slight periodontal disease, moderate periodontal disease, and advanced periodontal disease. As you progress through each stage, the chance of needing surgery increases.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
Our dentists screen for signs of gum disease at your regularly scheduled cleanings. However, if you’ve noticed the beginning symptom of gum disease, bleeding gums, it is best to inform us sooner rather than later. Catching gum disease in its earliest stages is the best way to restore gum health. If you suspect you are showing signs of gum disease, contact our office at 410-670-8211 or schedule an appointment online today.