What is Periodontal Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease is very common in adults. It is caused by all of the bacteria in our mouth that forms plaque on our teeth. Without routine brushing and flossing, it continues to build up, forming tartar.
People with periodontal disease can have red and swollen gums that bleed quite easily. It may be hard for them to eat because their teeth are so sensitive. They may be missing teeth. Some people with periodontal disease have very bad breath.
We diagnose periodontal disease by examining your teeth. We also use a probe to look for any problem areas. X-rays are also necessary to diagnose the disease.
A good professional cleaning is necessary to remove the tartar from your mouth and underneath your gums. If your periodontal disease is bad, you may need to follow up your brushing and flossing with antibacterial mouthrinse. You may even need to use an antibacterial gel or start on oral antibiotics to help to get rid of the disease. Sometimes surgery is necessary to help with the deep pockets of infection.
Once your periodontal disease is under control, good home care with brushing and flossing should help keep it from coming back.
If you are concerned that you may have periodontal disease, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (806) 894-4499. We will get you in for an examination as soon as possible.
Periodontal Disease Maintenance
Periodontal disease maintenance is a procedure that cleans your teeth thoroughly. It is very important to stop periodontal disease from getting any worse.
During a maintenance cleaning, we remove any tartar and plaque buildup above and below your gums. This includes your gum pockets and underneath your gum line. We also remove bacteria.
In bad cases of periodontal disease, we may medicate your teeth (and gum pockets) with an antibiotic or antimicrobial gel. We also use this time to take radiographs and get a clear view of your teeth and gums.
The cleaning helps your teeth look better and will also improve your breath! After we are finished, it is up to you to keep your mouth nice and healthy with routine brushing and flossing. You may also want to use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep bacteria at bay.
If you are due for a maintenance cleaning or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (806) 894-4499.
