Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal Therapy in Spotsylvania, VA

If you suffer from periodontal disease, your gums can become red, swollen, tender, and can bleed easily when brushing or flossing. Untreated gum disease can lead to more severe health issues like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Fortunately, there are treatments available to you.

Our dental office offers periodontal therapy in Spotsylvania, VA, to help you achieve healthy teeth and gums.

What is Periodontal Therapy?

Periodontal therapy is just one of the array of treatments used to treat an oral condition called periodontitis. Periodontal therapy uses a combination of treatments to restore your gum health so your gums, teeth, and jaw remain solid and stable. Periodontal disease starts out as gum disease and then progresses into a more serious infection that damages the soft tissue of your mouth as well as your teeth. If left untreated it can wreak havoc on your oral health and cause loss of teeth, gum recession, and bone loss.

Periodontal Disease Treatments and Procedures

Both surgical and non-surgical treatments are used to treat gum disease. Our dentist will always start with the least invasive procedures first.

Deep cleaning

There are two procedures involved in this non-surgical treatment: scaling and root planing. During scaling, our dentist uses an ultrasonic instrument to gently scrape away plaque and tartar buildup from below your gums. A root planing procedure involves using a small hand-held tool to smooth out rough spots on the surfaces of the tooth root. This process allows us to remove hard deposits that could cause further oral health problems.

Bone grafting

Bone grafting may be needed when periodontitis has weakened or damaged the bone surrounding your tooth root. A bone graft may be made from small pieces of your own bone, or the bone may come from a donor. A bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by strengthening the jaw and holding your teeth in place.

Gum grafts

This is performed when there is a significant loss of gum tissue. The procedure involves taking a small amount of healthy gum tissue from another part of the body (usually the palate) and placing it onto the exposed root surface. This stimulates the formation of new gum tissue.

Pocket reduction surgery

This is recommended for patients who suffer from advanced gum recession. During this surgical procedure, we will remove pockets of infected gum and bone tissue around your teeth. These pockets allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream and can cause serious infections. Pocket reduction surgery helps prevent future gum diseases by removing unhealthy tissue.

Medications

Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help control bacterial infection. Antibiotics help reduce gum inflammation and kill oral bacteria.

Oral Health Tips to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Following good oral hygiene instructions is essential to preventing periodontal disease. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Brush twice daily: Brush after breakfast and right before bedtime.
Floss every day: Flossing removes bacteria and debris from between your teeth and under your gum line.
Visit your dentist on a regular basis: During your regular dental checkups, we will perform routine exams, x-rays, and dental cleaning to ensure your smile stays beautiful.
Don’t smoke: Smoking is one of the leading causes for tooth decay and oral cancer. Smoking also weakens your immune system, making it more difficult for your mouth to fight off oral infection.
Avoid alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can dry out your mouth and make it easier for harmful bacteria to grow.

Get Your Healthy Smile Back Today at Smile Lake Anna

If you notice any signs of gum disease, such as persistent bad breath, swollen gums, or tooth loss, give us a call right away. The team at Smile Lake Anna offers periodontal treatment to help you build strong and healthy teeth. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, visit our office today!