Periodontal care starts with a comprehensive evaluation of your dental health, particularly the gums. Your Valparaiso dentist will check for signs of bleeding, inflammation, and redness, typical of gum disease. They’ll also use a probe to check the depths of your gum pockets before diagnosing you and creating a treatment plan.
With the treatment plan in place, the next step is to clean your teeth and gums diligently. This professional cleaning includes scaling, which uses a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum line. It also involves root planing, which smoothens the roots below the gum line.
Patients with gum conditions will receive treatment as indicated in the treatment plan. Treatment mostly includes gum cleaning and surgery like gum flap surgery and guided tissue regeneration in severe cases. After treatment, the dentist will prescribe antibiotics and pain medication to help with the symptoms.
After treatment, the dentist will provide tips on maintaining your periodontal health. The tips will guide you on brushing and flossing your teeth, what products to use, and what to eat for optimum periodontal health. They’ll also suggest lifestyle changes like reducing smoking and drinking for proper gum health.
We offer thorough deep cleaning to help manage gum disease symptoms. This deep cleaning helps eliminate bacteria responsible for gum disease. The dentist will use gritty fluoride toothpaste to clean the surface of your teeth, removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar. They’ll also floss in between the teeth to do the same.
Scaling involves using a sharp, pointed instrument called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. The pointed edge can go below the gum line to scrape out plaque and tartar. The dentist will then rinse your mouth with mouthwash to flush away debris.
Root planing involves smoothing rough edges on the root surface that harbor bacteria. It also helps receded gums reattach better to the teeth. The dentist uses dental curettes and scalers to smoothen the gums and remove plaque. They’ll then irrigate the gum pockets with a microbial solution to end the process.
You can reverse gum disease, but only in its early stages. This reversal involves deep cleaning, root planing, and scaling. Gum disease that has progressed to periodontitis is impossible to reverse. However, it is possible to stop it’s progression and maintain your oral health with more frequent periodontal maintenance cleanings and dental visits.
Common symptoms of gum disease include red, swollen, and tender gums that are sensitive to hot and cold drinks. Other symptoms include bleeding and painful gums, sometimes with pus and abscesses. Additionally, people with gum disease also suffer from bad breath and receding teeth. Patients may also experience loose teeth that eventually fall out.