Periodontal

Gum disease is a common oral health problem, especially among adults 30 and older, as it affects nearly half of this population group in the United States. At University Place Smiles in University Place, Washington, the friendly dental team offers superior periodontics services to treat and reduce the risk of future gum disease. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or book one online today.

What is periodontics?

Periodontics includes the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, an infection of the soft tissues that surround and support your teeth. Though common, when left untreated, gum disease can cause jawbone loss, receding gums, and permanent tooth loss. That’s why early detection and treatment of gum disease using periodontics solutions is vital.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

The hallmark symptoms of gum disease include:

• Receding gums
• Bright red gums
• Bleeding
• Swollen, tender gums
• Loose permanent teeth
• Permanent tooth loss

Gum disease often begins as a mild case and progresses to moderate and severe forms of the disease over time. The earlier you seek treatment for gum disease, the easier it is to treat. 

What causes gum disease?

Numerous factors can contribute to developing gum disease. Examples include older age, a family history of gum disease, and poor oral hygiene habits. Other risk factors include smoking, using tobacco, hormone changes, drug use, and carrying excess body weight. 

Some medications, certain medical conditions, vitamin C deficiency, and other nutritional inadequacies can also boost the chance of having gum disease.

Is periodontics care right for me?

The University Place Smiles team lets you know if you’re a candidate for periodontics after discussing your medical history, symptoms, and home oral hygiene habits. They examine your gums, measure the pocket depth of your gums, and look at your teeth. Your dentist also reviews the results of your recent X-rays.

Which periodontics treatments are available?

The periodontal treatments available for gum disease at University Place Smiles include:

Scaling

Scaling is a professional dental cleaning treatment that removes tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and beneath your gumline. 

Root planing

Root planing smoothes your tooth root surfaces to lessen the future buildup of bacteria and tartar. 

Medicine

Using oral or topical medicines, including antibiotic mouthwash, help eliminate infection-causing bacteria. 

Surgery

If you have receding gums, surgery (including grafting or guided tissue regeneration) helps rebuild soft tissues or jawbone lost due to gum disease.

To lessen your risk of gum disease, brush your teeth after meals and floss daily. Have your teeth cleaned by the University Place Smiles team at least every six months, and use mouthwash if your dentist recommends it.

To take advantage of the outstanding periodontics services at University Place Smiles, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.