What is periodontal therapy, and how does it work?
Periodontal disease is a serious condition that can significantly impact the smile’s health. Periodontal disease develops in stages, and the later stages can result in irreversible damage to the teeth, gums, and bone. Drs. Gina and Christopher Gomez of Gomez Family Dentistry in Pensacola, Florida, can evaluate patients to determine if they have periodontal disease and then make recommendations regarding periodontal therapy to bring their smile back to health.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is an infection of the oral tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth. It may affect one tooth or many teeth, and it begins when bacteria in plaque build up along the gum line. If not removed with regular brushing and flossing every day, this plaque hardens into tartar (calculus) which harbors even more bacteria and releases toxins that irritate the gums, creating pockets of infection between the teeth and gums. As the disease progresses into the later stages, these pockets become deeper, and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually, this could lead to tooth loss.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
The main symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Swollen, red, and tender gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums (teeth appear longer than normal)
- Pocket formation between the teeth and gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Gum abscesses
If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek professional dental care for gum treatment with our team at Gomez Family Dentistry.
What is done for the treatment of periodontitis?
Our practice focuses on non-surgical periodontal therapy using hand and ultrasonic instrumentation. Patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease may be referred out to a periodontist for surgical or laser treatment of the periodontal disease.
How do I know if I need periodontal treatment?
Periodontal therapy is necessary for anyone who has early to late stage periodontal disease and is seen by our team at Gomez Family Dentistry.
If you reside in Pensacola, FL, and require gum disease treatment, connect with our team by calling (850) 429-4664.