You may be great at cleaning your teeth, but are you also giving your gums the attention they need? At Birmingham Dental in Birmingham, Michigan, we’ll help you keep your teeth and gums in the best possible shape and avoid periodontal disease.
While most patients know the danger that cavities pose to their teeth, they often don’t consider gums’ vital role in their overall oral health. The health of your gums affects the health of your teeth—and perhaps the health of your entire body. Studies have shown that gum disease can lead to further complications such as diabetes, heart problems, and even cancer.
Gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease, is usually treatable with no lasting effects by simply dedicating yourself to good oral hygiene and perhaps making a few lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco and cutting back on sugary foods.
However, a more severe gum disease called periodontitis can wreak havoc on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to recede, pulling away from your teeth as the bacteria destroys the tissue. The bacteria can even erode the bone that supports your teeth, ultimately resulting in the affected teeth falling out.
There is currently no cure for periodontitis. But fortunately, the gum disease specialists at Birmingham Dental can help you slow it down and control it.
What is Periodontal Therapy in Birmingham?
If you’ve developed gum disease, periodontal therapy in Birmingham is an umbrella term for various treatments you may need to undergo. These treatments are essential for restoring health to your teeth and gums and preventing tooth loss. There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments for gum disease. Your best option will depend upon your case, but generally, the least invasive procedures are preferred.
Whether you have gingivitis or periodontitis, Dr. Coburn or Dr. Sgalia will likely recommend deep cleaning. The deep cleaning is similar to a routine professional dental cleaning but may take more time. We want to ensure we remove as much plaque and tartar from your teeth as possible to help slow or eliminate the disease.
For more severe gum disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is a standard, non-surgical procedure similar to deep cleaning. We use handheld instruments or ultrasonic devices to remove plaque and tartar from teeth, including below the gum line. We also smooth the rough surfaces of the tooth roots to help your gums reattach to the teeth.
What are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
Even advanced stages of periodontal disease are often painless, making it hard for patients to spot. There are signs you can look out for, but it’s essential to go for regular cleanings so that your dentist can keep an eye out for early symptoms.
Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that you can’t seem to get rid of and gums that are red, swollen, or bleed when you brush or floss can be signs of gum disease.
More severe signs include:
- Receding gums.
- Teeth that are loose or have shifted.
- The formation of pockets between your teeth and gums.
How Do You Prevent Periodontal Disease?
The first and most obvious way to prevent periodontal disease is to practice excellent oral hygiene. You should see your dentist twice a year, floss daily, use mouthwash regularly, and brush your teeth at least twice a day.
While you can’t change risk factors like genetics and certain illnesses or medications, you can make other lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of gum disease. For example, you can limit the sugars in your diet and stay away from tobacco, making it harder for your mouth tissues to heal.
Contact Us Today
If you have gum disease, you want a periodontist you can trust to handle your therapy safely and as comfortably as possible. At Birmingham Dental, we specialize in treating gum disease. We help our patients prevent gum disease before it occurs and help them avoid it after treatment is necessary.
If you need periodontal therapy in Birmingham, MI, call our office today to schedule a consultation.