Periodontics
When many people think of going to the dentist, they think about their teeth. However, oral health also covers the other tissues in the mouth and jaw. Periodontics focuses specifically on the health of the gums and jawbone. These vital parts of the mouth support the teeth and require proper care to remain healthy. At Gardner Family Dentistry, we offer periodontics in Huntsville, AL, to ensure complete oral health for our patients.
If you’re noticing that your gums tend to bleed after you floss or brush, it could be a sign that you need periodontic care. If your gums are receding, you’re having increased sensitivity near the roots of your teeth, or you have teeth that are coming loose, it’s another sign you might need to talk to a periodontist. Our team includes periodontic dentists who can help you with a wide range of problems stemming from the gums and bones in the mouth.
What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics is a specialty branch of dentistry that focuses on the bones and gums in the mouth and jaw. These tissues surround and support the teeth and can become diseased or damaged. When they do, you need the support of a periodontist to get them back to good health.
If you visit Gardner Family Dentistry and learn that you have a periodontal concern, you are in good company. As many as half of all adults over the age of 30 in the United States have some form of periodontal disease, so there are many others in the same situation. Still, you will want to address these concerns quickly so they do not progress and put your teeth at risk.
Signs You Need Periodontic Care
Many people discover they need periodontic care when they visit our clinic for their regular cleaning and checkup. When our hygienists and dentists find signs of gum disease, we will discuss periodontics with you to ensure you know your best options to protect your teeth. However, periodontal disease can cause symptoms as well that you can watch for. These include:
- Loose teeth
- Changes to your bite
- Swelling or bleeding of the gums
- Pain near the gumline
- Gum recession
In addition, we may recommend routine periodontic checkups if you have a family history of periodontal disease, heart disease, or stroke, as all of these are risk factors. If you are a smoker, we will also want to monitor your periodontal health more closely.
Stop Periodontic Disease Quickly with the Right Care
Periodontic disease is a progressive condition. It rarely gets better on its own, and it will usually get worse over time, leading to further complications. That’s why we recommend close monitoring and fast action at the first sign of periodontic problems.
Common Periodontic Issues
At Gardner Family Dentistry, we treat a number of periodontic issues for our patients. These include:
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most common reasons a patient may need periodontic care. Gum disease is an inflammation and infection of the gum tissue. This serious condition can lead to tooth loss.
There are two main stages of gum disease. Early gum disease is called gingivitis. This occurs when the gums become red and swollen. They may even bleed. Gingivitis occurs when plaque allows bacteria to inflame the gum tissue.
If gingivitis goes untreated, it can turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease and can lead to bone and tooth loss. It occurs when the bacteria spread to the tissue below the gum line.
Both gingivitis and periodontitis can cause the gums to bleed. They can also cause problems with chronic bad breath. If left untreated, they can lead to loose teeth.
Gum disease has several treatment options, including:
- Improved oral hygiene – More frequent cleanings and better at-home oral hygiene can improve mild cases of gingivitis.
- Planning and scaling procedures – These procedures remove plaque from below the gumline to allow the gum tissue to heal.
- Surgery – In severe cases, surgical removal of the diseased tissue may be needed to fully treat the gum disease.
Gum Recession
Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue pulls back from the gum, eventually exposing the root. Gum recession has a number of potential causes, including:
- Aging
- Genetics
- Poor teeth alignment
- Poor oral hygiene
- Infections
- Brushing too aggressively
While gum recession begins as little more than a cosmetic issue, if it progresses, it can expose the root of the tooth. When the root gets exposed, it can cause pain and increased sensitivity. Further progression will lead to tooth loss.
The main way to treat severe gum recession is with gum graft surgery. A periodontist can support this treatment as you seek to protect your teeth.
Lost Teeth
If you have severe gum disease, your teeth can fall out. Lost teeth need to be replaced by dental implants, but before that can happen, a periodontist needs to make sure the supporting tissue is healthy enough to support the implant. At Gardner Family Dentistry, we can help you determine the best way to address your missing teeth to protect the remaining natural teeth while also supporting healthy gums.
Bone Loss
As people age, bone tissue can break down, leading to bone loss. In addition, periodontic diseases can speed up this bone loss. Either way, if you are losing bone tissue, you may need periodontic treatment. Specifically, you may need a bone graft to encourage new bone tissue growth.
Risks of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease carries several risks for your health. In addition to the risk of losing teeth, you are at an increased risk for several health conditions if you have untreated periodontal disease, including:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes complications
- Respiratory illness
What to Expect with a Periodontic Appointment
If the dental team at Gardner Family Dentistry sends you for periodontic work, you can expect the periodontist to first examine your gums carefully for any signs of infection or recession. They will also look at your bite and whether or not you have any loose teeth. Our team often orders X-rays to take a closer look at the areas below the gumline to determine the extent of your infection or other concern.
We perform many periodontic treatments at our office, allowing you to take care of all of your oral health needs in one place. If you have a complex concern, we partner with local specialists to ensure you get the best possible care. But with routine checkups and our in-house periodontic services, most concerns can be taken care of without leaving our office.
Avoid Periodontic Concerns with Better Preventive Care
While some forms of periodontic disease come from your genetics, others are avoidable with the right care. Good oral health care, including brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, can prevent plaque buildup between the teeth and under the gumline. When plaque can’t build up on your teeth, you have a much lower risk of gum disease.
In addition, you can protect yourself from periodontal disease with twice-a-year checkups at Gardner Family Dentistry. Professional cleanings and regular monitoring of your oral health can stop periodontal disease in its tracks, giving you a healthier mouth and protecting your natural teeth.
Schedule Periodontic Care Today
If you suspect that you may have gum disease, don’t wait. These problems only get worse with time if left untreated. Getting treatment quickly is essential to protecting your teeth. Reach out to Gardner Family Dentistry for periodontics in Huntsville, AL, from a caring, professional team.
