Brushing and flossing regularly and seeing the dentist at least once every year can help prevent serious problems with your teeth and gums. Sometimes, however, oral health problems occur due to diet, environmental issues or heredity. When your gums need extra attention, you may be able to reverse the damage with periodontal treatment.
Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on the gum line. When plaque is not brushed away regularly, it hardens and needs to be removed by a dentist or hygienist. Over time, the tartar can affect the gums and lead to conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis. If you are diagnosised with gingivitis, you may be able to reverse the condition with good oral health care. This includes diligent brushing and flossing as well as regular visits to the dentist for cleaning.
Periodontitis is a more serious condition that can cause tooth loss if it isn’t addressed. This disease can be easily recognized because the gums pull away from the teeth. Infection forms in the pockets and can destroy the gums, tissue and bone that support the teeth. Periodontics in Seattle can often help a patient in the early stages of periodontitis and may be able to prevent tooth loss.
The goal of Periodontics Seattle is to address the infection so the gums can heal. There are a variety of treatments available. You may be given an antimicrobal mouth rinse to use at home and may also need to take prescription antibiotics to control the infection so the periodontist can safely perform treatments in the office.
Patients with periodontitis need to see their dentist more frequently while they receive scaling and root planing treatments. Periodontic treatment aims to reduce the spaces between the teeth and gums. By reducing the size of the pockets, patients are less likely to lose bone due to the disease and the teeth may not have to be removed.
