Did you know periodontal disease, in addition to causing sore and bleeding gums, could lead to missing teeth? Fortunately, with an array of treatment options, including advanced laser treatments, we can manage the issue and preserve your smile! In today’s blog, Brooklyn Periodontics and Implantology talks about boosting periodontal health for our Brooklyn, NY, patients.
The Onset of Periodontal Disease
How does a smile develop periodontal disease? When the gums become inflamed, gingivitis forms that can lead to discomfort, and without treatment, the risk of gums pulling away from the teeth. When this happens, deep pockets open along the gum line, which disease-causing bacteria can enter to cause periodontal disease. At this stage, you need treatment to manage it, otherwise there is a real risk of discomfort and even tooth loss.
Factors behind gingivitis and disease include tobacco use, a family history of the disease, inflammatory illnesses like diabetes, and even plaque and tartar buildup. The buildup could be the result of factors like poor brushing and flossing habits, and a diet high in sugar and starch.
The Threats to Your Smile
When you develop gingivitis and periodontal disease, this will grow in severity with time. As you reach a stage known as periodontitis, the connective tissues between your teeth and gums can become severed. You then develop loose and missing teeth. In fact, periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. But with periodontic treatment, we can help you avoid tooth loss and keep your smile strong and full! But when should you see our team? What are the warning signs of periodontal disease?
Warning Signs of Trouble
What are the common warning signs of periodontal disease? In the early stages, you may begin to notice your gums appear redder than normal or feel sore when you brush and floss. As the issue grows in severity, you could experience bleeding when you brush and floss, and you could notice the tissue receding, which makes teeth appear longer and uneven. Don’t ignore these potential symptoms, instead reach out to our team today to discuss possible solutions, such as laser dentistry or even a deep cleaning, to help restore health and strength to your gums, so you avoid the risk of tooth loss.
Treating Periodontal Concerns in the Early Stages
If we examine your smile and find the disease is in the early stages, we could offer help with a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. The procedure involves our team using an ultrasonic scaling device, which emits gentle vibrations, to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, including the portions of exposed roots and under the gums. The process is more involved than a traditional cleaning, so we may numb your smile ahead of time, and this could potentially take more than one visit. We then follow the scaling process with a manual pick to remove the more stubborn portions of tartar. The last step is to polish the teeth. We then control buildup moving forward with traditional cleanings every three to four months, as well as medications and even Ozone Therapy.
More Advanced Treatments
If we find that you have a more advanced case of the disease, including periodontitis. We may offer another option. Instead of a deep cleaning, we will employ an advanced dental laser to target the diseased portions of the gums and remove them gently, with precision. We then reshape the gum line in the process to ensure better symmetry and esthetics. At the same time, the lasers help destroy harmful disease-causing bacteria. The laser process could take as little as one visit, and rarely require anesthesia. The results are immediate and the targeted areas heal quickly. You could return to your normal routine in only a day or two. We then manage the issue moving forward with routine cleanings and other preventive options.
If your periodontal disease has cost you teeth, then we could discuss replacement with dental implants, which look and function like natural teeth. If you have any questions about how we protect smiles with periodontic treatment, including advanced dental lasers, or about how we address missing teeth with dental implants, then contact our team today to learn more and get started!
Brooklyn Periodontics Offers Better Gum Health
We want to help boost the strength and health of your gums with laser treatment and more. For more details about securing your smile’s health and beauty, then please call Brooklyn Periodontics & Implantology in Brooklyn, NY at (718) 444-3800 today.
