Periodontal or gum disease requires regular maintenance to ensure that bacteria does not build up and cause serious gum, tooth, and bone damage. If you have gum disease, Drs. Robert Neighbors and Brian Herod can offer personalized periodontal treatment options at their comfortable Midlothian, VA practice.
Set up a time to visit us for periodontal treatment as part of your oral health management plan.
Why Is Periodontal Treatment Necessary?
When left untreated, gum disease does not go away on its own. As plaque, calculus, and tartar build up on the teeth and along the gum line, both hard and soft tissues become destroyed.
Gum disease begins as gingivitis, a condition that leaves the gums red, swollen, and prone to bleeding. Although people with gingivitis may not experience pain, they may notice these symptoms, as well as persistent bad breath.
In its moderate and severe stages, called periodontitis, gum disease begins to severely damage health gums and teeth. Without proper periodontal treatment and intervention, patients with gum disease risk eventual tooth loss. Plus, untreated gum disease has been linked to systemic problems including stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Types of Periodontal Treatment
Gum disease can be treated with a number of methods, depending on the severity of your condition. Deep cleanings, or scaling and root planing, allow the dentist or hygienist to thoroughly clean and sanitize the teeth. To perform this, the gums are numbed with local anesthesia before cleaning the periodontal pockets. The teeth roots are also smoothed to hinder further plaque and debris from reattaching. When detected in its earliest stages, gum disease can be managed with one or two deep cleanings.
In more serious cases of periodontal disease, surgical intervention may be necessary. During this treatment, the gums will be moved back away from the teeth so the infection can be cleaned out. Once complete, the gums will be repositioned and sutured into place.
Keeping Gum Disease From Getting Worse
The best ways to prevent gum disease from worsening is to maintain a healthy oral hygiene program at home and keep your regular dental appointments throughout the year. Missed a dentist visit? Call us at (804) 794-8745 to reschedule.