Periodontal Therapy

If your toothbrush is pink when you brush, you may have gingivitis which is an early stage of periodontal disease. Periodontal therapy is a broad term for a number of treatments for periodontal disease, or gum disease. Many times people are so focused on keeping their teeth free from decay, that they do not realize how important it is to have healthy gums. In truth, healthy gums not only mean healthy teeth. Unhealthy gums can affect the health of the whole body.
The Brentwood Dental Spa cosmetic dentists are specialists in periodontal therapy. The following paragraphs present a brief description of periodontal therapy, the procedure, and the benefits of the treatment.

Periodontal Disease: The Enemy In Your Mouth

Gingivitis can be treated with good oral cleanliness habits and by a few changes in lifestyle. For example, no smoking and no sugary foods/drinks are a good start. If you can make those changes and keep up good oral habits, you may not see any permanent ill effects from gingivitis.
Periodontal disease, however, is a much more serious condition. The bacteria can eat away at the gum tissue which can then cause the gums to recede from the teeth. The bacteria can even eat away at the bone which will then cause the teeth to fall out or have to be pulled out. The Centers for Disease Control says that 1/2 of Americans over age 30 have periodontitis.
Even more horrifying, the bacteria from periodontitis can escape from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. In practical terms, that means keeping after the bacteria that attack gums is a critical job.

The Arsenal: Periodontal Therapy

 Several therapies exist to fight periodontal disease. The therapies include surgical and non-surgical treatments.
Mild to moderate periodontal disease may require planing and scaling treatment to restore healthy gums. Scaling refers to the removal of plaque below the gums on the tooth root. Your dentist may smooth the root which helps keep bacteria from gaining a foothold and fends off further infection. Another option is to send you home with a special dental tray that delivers the medicine right to the gums.
Surgical options include gum grafts and gum flap surgery which allows the dentist to scrupulously clean the tooth roots. If the teeth and gums are severely damaged, you may need tooth implants.

Brush and Floss and Mouthwash: Your Weapons Against Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease may be a very common occurrence, but the good news is that there are things you can do to avoid disaster. Brushing and flossing twice a day (or three if your schedule permits) and rinsing with mouthwash are the armaments you need and have at home. And, of course, visit the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings and X-rays is a must.

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Take the Plunge

We invite you to contact us at Brentwood Dental Spa today. Our expert dental staff there will be happy to make an appointment for you for a consultation with one of our dentists. We look forward to hearing from you today, so we can start restoring your mouth to health.

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