When you have the warning signs of periodontal disease, such as sore, red, and bleeding gums, then you need treatment. Otherwise, you risk worsening discomfort and even the loss of your teeth! But our team can help with periodontics. In today’s blog, your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist talks about how we diagnose and treat gum disease.
The Causes and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
People develop periodontal disease when their gum tissues become inflamed and irritated, which can happen due to plaque and tartar buildup brought on by diets high in sugar and poor brushing and flossing habits. Other factors behind inflammation, also known as gingivitis, include tobacco use, infrequent cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, a family history of poor gum health, certain medications, and inflammatory illnesses. When the inflammation begins, your gums could appear red and feel sore. As the issue progresses, bleeding could occur, as well as swelling or even recession that makes teeth appear longer than usual. When you experience symptoms like these, you likely have periodontal disease and need treatment to manage it. This not only stops discomfort, but also helps prevent periodontitis, the stage linked to adult tooth loss.
Taking Diagnostic Images
When you see our team, we will conduct a detailed digital examination and diagnosis with advanced imaging systems. With digital x-rays and CT scanning, we will examine the gums for signs of inflammation, and also look at underlying attachment tissues and bone structure for signs of damage, which can occur due to untreated periodontal concerns. These images allow us to make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, so we can treat the issue and protect the smile.
Scaling and Root Planing
If we catch the issue in the gingivitis stage or the early stages of periodontal disease, then we could offer treatment with a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. With this procedure, our team will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth, as well as the roots and from beneath the gum line. Since the procedure is more involved than a traditional cleaning, we may numb the smile and the process could take more than one visit. We complete it by polishing the teeth to brighten them and make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to adhere to them before your next visit.
Laser Dentistry
Our team could also use laser dentistry to help your smile. With dental lasers, we can use technology to gently trim away the diseased portions of tissues, while leaving healthy gums intact. Healthy tissues can then attach to the teeth and help reduce the depth of periodontal pockets, making the disease more manageable with preventive treatments moving forward. The lasers target areas with precision and help reduce the risk of bleeding, infection, and welling. The treated area heals quickly too, with many people returning to their normal routine in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Hygiene Services
Following your treatment, or for the early stages of inflammation, we can help manage the health of your gums with specialized hygiene services. For example, we can discuss medications to control bacteria, or we could even conduct a traditional cleaning every three to four months to control buildup and keep your smile healthy and free of issues like periodontitis and tooth loss.
Care at Home
We also want to make sure you care for your smile at home to manage the disease and help you smile with confidence. You should brush for two minutes when you wake up and then do so again before going to bed. Each session should involve the use of a toothbrush with soft bristles to protect the gums from irritation, as well as fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel. You also need to floss every evening too and avoid tobacco products! If you have any questions about how we offer good periodontal health for smiles of all ages, then contact our team today. We want to help you start 2025 with your best smile. You can also use any remaining 2024 dental benefits before they expire at the end of the year, the same goes for any remaining health savings account funds.
Boost Your Periodontal Health with Your Brooklyn, NY, Periodontist
We want to help you smile with confidence and enjoy better oral health with periodontic treatments, so reach out to our team soon to get started! To schedule an appointment and start your treatment journey, contact your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist by calling (718) 444-3800.
