Periodontal Disease Treatment in St. George, UT
Everything You Need to Know About Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a dangerous condition that causes inflammation and infection of your gum tissue. You can reduce your risk of periodontal disease by maintaining a consistent daily oral hygiene routine and visiting the dentist annually for check-ups and professional teeth cleaning. At Plumb Dental, we have extensive experience diagnosing, evaluating, preventing, and treating periodontal disease in St. George, UT. We offer thorough patient education and preventive dental care that can slow or reverse the progression of periodontal disease or prevent it from developing. Call us today to schedule a consultation or periodontal disease treatment.
Causes of Periodontal Gum Disease
Approximately 50% of all adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease. The primary cause of periodontal gum disease is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t floss and brush regularly, tartar and bacteria build up on your teeth and gums. Eventually, this hardens into plaque, which harbors dangerous bacteria that can cause gum infection and inflammation. Some people are at a higher risk of developing gum disease even if they maintain a proper oral hygiene routine. Your risk of periodontal disease may increase if you:
- Smoke or use tobacco.
- Don’t practice good oral hygiene.
- Have diabetes or an autoimmune disease.
- Experience extreme hormonal changes.
- Are under excessive stress.
- Are genetically predisposed to the disease.
- Have heart disease.
Periodontal Disease Symptoms
The symptoms of periodontal disease vary depending on what stage of the disease you are in. The most common symptoms are:
- Red or purple gum tissue.
- Bleeding gums.
- Gums that are sore or tender.
- Bad breath.
- A bad taste in the mouth.
- Pain when chewing, brushing, flossing, and drinking hot or cold beverages.
- Receding gums and loose teeth.
- Increase in gaps between the teeth.
Periodontal Disease Stages
Periodontal disease progresses the longer it goes untreated. If you recognize the early warning signs of the disease, you can get treatment for periodontal disease before it progresses to advanced periodontal disease. Some stages of periodontal disease can be reversed with swift intervention and periodontal disease treatment. The four periodontal disease stages are:
- Gingivitis – Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. Its symptoms are an early warning sign that you need gum disease treatment. The symptoms include red, puffy, tender gums that bleed when brushing or flossing. Gingivitis can be reversed with swift treatment and intervention.
- Mild periodontitis – Mild periodontitis occurs when bacteria gets underneath the gum tissue and affects the bone. This causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets where plaque and bacteria can hide.
- Moderate periodontitis – The disease will progress to the moderate phase without treatment and lifestyle changes. During this phase, the bacteria will erode the ligaments, tissues, and bones that hold your teeth in place. This causes bad breath, infection, pus, and
- Advanced periodontitis – During the advanced stage of periodontal disease, bone loss occurs. This may make your teeth loosen and fall out. This stage is irreversible and requires dental restoration.
Periodontal Disease Treatment Options
If you recognize any of the above periodontal disease symptoms, schedule a consultation for dental services immediately. We will diagnose periodontal disease by thoroughly examining your teeth and gums and evaluating your symptoms and lifestyle. Treatment for periodontal disease can reverse the effects and stop or slow the progression of the disease. Our periodontal disease treatment options include:
- Lifestyle changes – Making lifestyle changes is the best way to prevent or reverse periodontal disease in its earliest stage. You should brush your teeth twice daily, floss at least once daily, and use a fluoridated, antiseptic mouthwash. You should also visit the dentist yearly for a check-up and dental cleaning. Quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, and limiting alcohol and caffeine can also reduce your risk of periodontal disease.
- Dental cleaning – Routine dental cleanings will reduce the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and lower your risk of periodontal disease.
- Scaling and root planing – Scaling and root planing is an advanced treatment for periodontal disease. During this process, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. They will remove plaque and bacteria from between teeth and under the gums. It may take more than one dental visit, and your dentist will likely use local anesthesia to prevent pain and discomfort. You may also need to take antibiotics to fight the infection.
- Laser surgery – Laser surgery can reduce the size of your gum pockets and prevent tooth loss. Your dentist will target diseased gum tissue using a small, handheld laser device.
Risks of Avoiding Periodontal Disease Treatment
While periodontal disease isn’t life-threatening, it can affect the health of your teeth, gums, and bones. If the infection caused by periodontal disease spreads through your bloodstream to other parts of your body, it can cause complications and other health conditions like heart disease and stroke. Without treatment, periodontal disease will progress and worsen. The infections caused by periodontal disease can damage or destroy the supporting bone in your mouth, resulting in tooth loss. At Plumb Dental, we will act aggressively to reduce your risk of complications associated with periodontal disease.
Schedule a Visit for Treatment of Periodontal Disease
If you have noticed any symptoms of periodontal disease, call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation. With early intervention and treatment of periodontal disease, we can reduce your risk of permanent damage, tooth loss, and the need for dental restoration. We will work closely with you to improve your oral hygiene routine and prevent complications from periodontal disease.