Even though it sounds fancy, periodontal health is just another term referring to the health of your gums. Looking after these tissues is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene. After all, without them, our teeth would be able to stay in place and they’d be incredibly vulnerable to debris and other forms of damage.
If you’re curious to learn more about periodontal treatment in Edmonton, we invite you to contact our team at Agape Dental. Our staff is ready to assist you with all your needs.
Unhealthy Gums
Our gums pose as a protective layer for our teeth and their roots. They are durable but not invulnerable. If you don’t take care of them on a daily basis, they can succumb to bacteria and plaque buildup which can quickly develop into gingivitis and advanced periodontitis.
This is why is important that you make sure to scrub them when you clean your teeth throughout the day.
If gum disease does develop, there are 4 distinct stages that you can experience; each of them is described in detail below for your convenience. And should you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact a dentist near you.
Stage 1: Gingivitis.
Gingivitis manifests when a sticky substance known as plaque forms and amalgamates on your smile. Bacteria that emit acids and toxins are what compose plaque and can trigger inflammation, swelling, and continual bleeding. If the plaque remains, it can give way to cavities, small holes in your tooth that damage its structure.
A lot of people may not realize they have gingivitis; therefore, it’s best to err on the side of caution and schedule a routine dental hygiene and checkup every six months or more often if recommended by your dentist.
Stage 2: Periodontal disease.
There are 3 substages of periodontal diseases: mild, moderate, and advanced.
Both mild and moderate gum disease is characterized by decay and continual inflammation. Your gums will begin to recede, leaving space for more bacteria to gather – these spaces are known as pockets and once they are present, you’ll need to undergo periodontal treatment near you to address them properly.
Tooth loss occurs when a patient reaches advanced periodontal disease. This is because, in addition to your gums receding and being unable to anchor your teeth in their sockets, the bacteria has made its way to your jawbone, causing deterioration.
Depending on the extent of your oral health and what your dentist advises, you may need to have surgery to get the disease under control.
Appropriate Treatments
Root planing and scaling and oral surgery are the two most common treatments that dentists and periodontists will recommend to their patients. Typically, the former will be performed first but, if this is not as effective as it needs to be, you’ll most likely have to have surgery.
When you come in for root plaining and scaling, you’ll be receiving a deep cleaning. First, your hygienist at Agape Dental Clinic Millwoods will rotate around your mouth, taking their time to scrub and wash away any bacteria and plaque that’s present. They’ll also clean out the pockets that have developed. Once this is done, they’ll move on to smoothing out your gums and your tooth roots; this encourages them to reattach to your teeth as well as eliminate further pockets from forming.
You can also be prescribed oral medication and/or mouthwash to aid in your recovery.
Oral surgery can be regarded as the most invasive and complex solution to remedy gum disease. But don’t worry if you feel anxious about this process – your dentist will walk you through each step of the treatment, so you feel comfortable and know what to expect.
Come into Agape Dental Today
Are you finally ready to regain control of your oral health? Our neighborhood dental clinic is here to help you that and more! You deserve to fall in love with your smile every day! Call us, send us an email, or pop by our physical location to talk to a member of our staff to set up an appointment! We can’t wait to see you!
