Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a bacterial infection that affects the gum tissue. Gum disease begins as gingivitis or gum inflammation. Patients with gingivitis experience bleeding gums. As harmful bacteria spread, they irritate the gum tissue, leading to gum inflammation and recession. Routine dental care can help reverse gum disease in its earliest stages. Addressing this condition with gum disease treatment in The Woodlands can restore oral health.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that can cover the teeth and gums. If plaque is not removed with brushing and flossing, it can harden to form tartar or calculus. Harmful bacteria irritate the gums and create swelling and irritation. As gum disease develops, it can destroy the gum tissue, creating deep gum pockets and bone loss.
Stages of Gum Disease
Explore what patients experience at each stage of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: Patients can experience gum inflammation and bleeding gums before they develop gum disease. Gingivitis is reversible with treatment. Flossing, brushing, and visiting the dentist for a thorough dental cleaning can help reverse gingivitis.
- Early Periodontitis: Patients in the early stages of gum disease can experience increased gum inflammation and subgingival plaque, or plaque beneath their gum line. Scaling can help reverse early periodontitis.
- Established Periodontitis: This stage of periodontitis is marked by bleeding gums and permanent gum tissue damage from plaque and tartar buildup. We must provide deep cleaning treatments like scaling and root planing to remove bacterial buildup and ensure the teeth and gums remain connected.
- Advanced Periodontitis: This stage of periodontitis is marked by chronic gum disease. Patients can experience deep gum pockets and even loose teeth. Sometimes, they may need tooth extractions.
Gum Disease Treatment in The Woodlands, TX
We offer non-surgical gum treatments, including scaling and root planing. To ensure patient comfort, we use local anesthesia. Used in tandem, scaling and root planing remove bacterial buildup from the teeth and gums to help patients with chronic gum problems. During scaling treatment, we use a stainless steel tool to remove plaque and tartar from the gums and beneath the gum line. Then, during root planing, we remove bacterial buildup from the tooth roots to help them reattach to the gums.
We will also provide microbial therapy for patients in later stages of gum disease with deep gingival pockets. Applying antibiotic medicine in these gum pockets will help fight and reduce bacteria. In advanced cases, gum surgery may be required to reverse the effects of gum disease. We will recommend a local specialist if we determine patients have advanced periodontitis.
Reverse Symptoms of Gum Disease
Call Majestic Dental for periodontal care at 281-820-6412. You can also request a dental appointment with Dr. Sadeddin on our website.