Are you struggling with plaque, tartar or reduced bone levels? Then you might be suffering from periodontal disease! Do not worry this disease is absolutely treatable. We at Westheimer Lakes Dental are here to treat you and help you prevent tooth loss.
First of all, let us understand what is Periodontal disease. Periodontal means "around the tooth." Each tooth is surrounded by a healthy gum tissue. The point where the gum meets the tooth, a v-shaped crevice is formed called a sulcus. In healthy teeth, usually the space is 3mm or less. When you are affected by periodontal disease, the tissue and bone supporting the teeth get infected. And as the tissues get damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket that is greater than 3 mm. Depending upon the severity of the disease, the pocket depth increases along with bone loss. These enlarged pockets make harmful bacteria to grow which further makes practicing effective oral hygiene difficult.
Periodontal disease can occur without any apparent symptoms, which is why, we at Westheimer Lakes Dental suggest our patients for regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations. However, there are several warning signs that you need to consider. And if you notice any of these signs then you must visit a dentist without any delay:
Our mouth is filled with countless bacteria and periodontal disease occurs when certain bacteria plaque produce toxins and enzymes which irritate the gums and cause inflammation. These inflammations can be painless and damage the attachment of the gum and bone to the teeth. Plaque is the sticky, colorless film formed on the teeth constantly and the surfaces lining the mouth. When plaque is not removed regularly it can get hardened into rough porous deposits called tartar.
Periodontal disease can be prevented by going for regular check-ups, where your gums will be evaluated for the disease by looking at several things that include the color and firmness of the gums. During this examination, a small instrument called a periodontal probe is being used for measuring the space between teeth and healthy gums, which should be 3 mm or less. The more advanced the gum disease, the greater will be the pocket size. Regular brushing and flossing can't even remove all plaques. Hence, we would suggest you to go for regular check-ups.
Have you been diagnosed with Periodontal disease? You are not alone! And the best thing is it
can be treated successfully. The treatments also increase the chances of keeping your natural
teeth and decreases the any chances of serious health issues associated with periodontal
diseases.
The various treatment methods include scaling, root planing and periodontal surgery. Scaling
and root planing are non-surgical methods also known as deep cleaning is often used for
removal of plaque and tartar deposits on tooth and root surfaces. These processes help in
healing gum tissue and shrinking periodontal pockets. Depending upon the severity, the
treatment may be scheduled for one or more visits.
If the periodontal pockets do not heal even after scaling and root planing, then we recommend
periodontal surgery for removing inflamed tissue and reducing the damage to the bone that gets
formed around the teeth. The enlarged pockets provide larger space for bacteria to grow and
attack the bone and tissue. Surgery enables the dentist to access difficult to reach areas under
the gum and along the roots where plaque and tartar have accumulated.
So get in touch with Dr. Rose Vuong today!
