Periodontal Disease
Your Guide To Managing Periodontitis
Periodontitis (gum disease) can severely impact your smile and oral health. Periodontitis is one of the primary causes of tooth loss, but, thankfully, you can undergo prompt treatment to manage your condition. Periodontitis often does not cause immediately recognizable symptoms, but the professionals at McDonogh Dental in Owing Mills, MD, have the skills and experience to identify various stages of periodontitis and implement effective treatment plans.What Are the Types of Gum Diseases?
Periodontal disease is a broad term for various conditions affecting teeth’ supportive structures. Periodontitis comes in many forms and can manifest in multiple ways. Regardless of the type, if you receive a diagnosis for gum disease, you will need treatment by a dentist or periodontist to slow its progression and preserve the integrity of your teeth, gum tissue, and supporting jawbone. Here are the most common types of gum diseases:- Gingivitis: The most common and least problematic type of gum disease is gingivitis. It occurs when plaque around the gum line releases toxins into the tissue, causing redness, bleeding, inflammation and occasionally discomfort.
- Chronic Periodontal Disease: This is a progressive condition that will destroy gum and bone tissue. Without treatment, this disease leads to eventual tooth loss. When a person has this condition, a dentist often cannot restore the damaged supportive tissues.
- Aggressive Periodontal Disease: With this condition, a person will experience a rapid loss of gum attachment and bone tissue, ultimately affecting the stability of the teeth. People who have a family history of this condition are more likely to develop this disease type.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Periodontitis?
Not all periodontal diseases have cured, but treatments can halt their progression. For cases of gingivitis, a thorough dental cleaning, along with proper home care, can clear up the condition. If the patient has periodontitis (i.e. bone and attachment loss), scaling and root planing are required to remove plaque and tartar beneath the gum line and smooth the teeth’ root surfaces to help the gums heal. In some cases, our dental professionals may suggest periodontal surgery if the gums don’t heal enough after scaling and root planning.How To Manage Gums After Periodontal Treatment
Regular teeth cleanings are the best way to prevent gum disease. Still, if you already have the condition, you will need periodic cleanings after your initial treatment to keep your gums healthy. The cleanings, along with regular brushing and flossing, will reduce plaque, bacteria, and inflammation to help the gums shrink back against the teeth.
Manage Your Periodontitis With McDonogh Dental Today
Don’t let gum disease go untreated! Our McDonogh Dental dentists and in-house periodontist understand the importance of managing periodontitis. During your visit, we will clean your teeth, check for gum disease, and create a personalized treatment plan for your specific oral health needs.