Periodontal Treatment: What You Need to Know

Periodontal disease affects the bone and soft tissue supporting a tooth. If not treated, the disease progresses to your tooth, and with time it can lead to loss of the tooth.  

Periodontitis also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Luckily, most cases of gum disease are preventable. In this article, we will cover all about this disease. 

Fast Facts about Periodontitis  

• Periodontitis affects areas surrounding a tooth including the gum and bone 
• Good oral hygiene can help treat the disease. Sometimes surgery is necessary 
• Smoking or chewing tobacco increases the risk of periodontitis and can slow down the treatment.  

Diagnosis of Periodontitis  

Your dentist is likely going to do the following to determine if you have gum disease or review how severe it is.  

Review your medical history and will want to know if you smoke or do other things that can lead to dry mouth. Examine your mouth and will want to look for tartar and plaque buildup as well check for any bleeding  

Measure the depth of your pocket. The pocket of a healthy person is usually between one and three millimeters. If your pockets are deeper than four millimeters, then it might be an indication of periodontitis.  

Take dental X-rays — the dentist will use X-ray results to determine cases of bone loss and observe the depth of your pockets.  

Periodontal Treatment  

Treatment of this condition can be carried out by an oral hygienist, periodontist, or a dentist. He will clean your pockets thoroughly to prevent damage to the surrounding bone. The dentist will then ask you to maintain proper oral hygiene and stop tobacco use if you are a user. You can count on us if you are looking for periodontal treatment in Flower Mound, TX. 

Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatments 

If your periodontitis has not advanced to a critical stage, the dentist can treat it without the need for surgery. The procedure is as follows. 

Scaling 

The dentist uses a laser or ultrasonic device to remove all the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth’s surface and beneath the gums.  

Root Planing 

This procedure smoothens the surfaces of your roots to discourage the further buildup of tartar or plaque. The procedure also removes bacteria and bacterial byproducts. 

Antibiotics  

Your dentist will probably give you antibiotics to help control bacterial infections. These antibiotics can be either topical or oral.  

Surgical Treatments

If periodontitis has advanced to a critical stage, surgery will be necessary. The dentist can perform either of the following surgeries, 

Pocket Reduction Surgery. This surgery is also called flap surgery.  

Soft tissue grafts are done to help reduce gum recession and cover your exposed roots as well as improve your teeth’s appearance. 

Bone grafting is only necessary if the gum disease has damaged the bone surrounding the affected tooth.  

In guided tissue regeneration, the dentist places a fabric between your bone and teeth to prevent unwanted tissue from entering the areas which allow your bone to grow back. 

What to Expect from the Dentist  

Your dentist will ask you several questions so you should be ready to answer them. You can count on us if you require periodontal treatment in Flower Mound. Some of the questions he might ask you include: 

• How often do you usually brush your teeth? 
• How often do you use dental floss? 
• Do you visit the dentist regularly? How often? 
• What medications are you using now? 
• Do you use tobacco? 

Home Remedies 

• Brush your teeth 2+ times a day. If possible, do it after every snack. 
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure to replace it every three to four months. 
• Sometimes use an interdental brush to clean the areas your ordinary toothbrush can’t reach 
• Get yourself an electric toothbrush as it is more effective at removing tartar and plaque. 
• Floss your teeth daily  
• Buy a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque buildup between your teeth. Ask your dentist to recommend the best brand. 
• Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. If possible, just quit. 
• Visit your dentist regularly. 

Smile Craft Dental  

We serve patients from Flower Mound, Double Oak, Grapevine, Highland Village, and Coppell, among other areas. We will provide you with periodontal treatment near you if you are in these areas. We are open on Saturdays, so if you are looking for a Saturday dentist in Flower Mound, you can count on us. Book an appointment for any dental services, and we will help you.