Periodontal therapy is a treatment we offer to our patients who suffer from gums that are irritated, bleed or have teeth that feel loose.
Gum Disease Symptoms
Sometimes patients may have periodontal disease (loss of bone and gum tissue around teeth) without even knowing they have it. Periodontal disease usually starts as gingivitis which is characterized by red, swollen and sometimes bleeding gums. Gingivitis can progress into periodontal disease slowly and without warning destroy supporting bone and gum tissue.
Gum Disease Treatment in Our St. John Dental Office
Our job here at McCarroll Dental is to screen every patient for gingivitis and periodontal disease and make appropriate recommendations for treatment in a timely fashion. Treatment options include removal of harmful bacteria in, around and under the gum tissue to promote a healthy environment and healing of the tissues. In severe cases of periodontal disease, scaling and root planing (“deep cleaning”) is conducted to clear bacteria attached to root surfaces in deep gum pockets.
The difficult part about periodontal disease is that most patients don’t know they have it because it does not hurt which means the disease can progress and if unchecked can destroy the support for teeth. In addition to this destruction, bacteria that reside in gum pockets find their way into the bloodstream and can weaken artificial joints, complicate arthritis and complicate heart issues.
All of this sound very involved but can readily be treated with proper diagnosis and timely treatment. Not only do we treat the disease, we also take great care in demonstrating the best daily techniques to aid our patients in maintaining their periodontal health. Our hygienists love to assist patients with these issues and take pride in making your oral health their top priority. Healthy mouths contribute to happy, healthy patients!