Periodontal Care
Hickory Creek, Texas
Did you know that findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about one out of two adults in the U.S. has periodontal (gum) disease? The progressive condition, left untreated, can lead to serious consequences for your smile, including tooth loss. Studies have also shown a link between periodontal disease and a patient’s systemic health. Dr. Bell and his patient-centered team at Alta Family Dental offer personalized periodontal care in Hickory Creek, TX, to get your smile back on track and support your long-term oral health.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a chronic and progressive inflammation and infection that can affect the gums, bone, and surrounding tissues that support your teeth. It is commonly caused by poor flossing and brushing habits or a lack of oral hygiene, which can result in plaque buildup that gradually hardens into tartar, irritating the gum tissue and leading to inflammation.
When caught in its earliest stage, known as gingivitis, periodontal disease is often reversible. But if left untreated, it can progress to a more serious condition known as periodontitis, leading to sore gums, pain when chewing, gum recession, bone loss, teeth shifting, and even tooth loss. In addition to your oral health, studies suggest a connection between gum disease and serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and even pregnancy complications.
Gum disease often goes unnoticed in its early stages because it is usually painless at first. That’s why regular dental visits and professional periodontal care are essential. Early warning signs you should never ignore include red, swollen gums, bleeding when brushing and flossing, bad breath, and gum tenderness. At Alta Family Dental, we provide personalized care to maintain your gum health, preserve your natural teeth, and support your long-term health.
How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?
Treating gum disease typically involves a non-surgical deep dental cleaning known as scaling and root planing. The two-step process may take one or two appointments to complete.
Our dental hygienist will start by gently clearing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, your gum line, and deep in your gum pockets. Next, we will clean and smooth out your tooth root surfaces to allow your gum tissue to reattach and promote healing. Deep cleanings have been shown to significantly reduce gum inflammation and prevent the progression of gum disease, helping maintain your gum health and preserve your natural teeth.
What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
Ongoing care is essential after your deep dental cleaning. Periodontal maintenance visits every 3-4 months help keep gum disease under control. During your appointment, we will gently and thoroughly clean your teeth, evaluate your gum tissue, and intervene if needed to restore your gum health. Our goal is to keep bacteria from building up again below the gums.
An important component of your periodontal maintenance is meticulous at-home hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing. Proactive care can help keep your gums healthy and your teeth intact.
What Are the Benefits of Periodontal Care?
Here is a look at some of the benefits of periodontal care:
- It Helps Prevent Tooth Loss: Periodontal care aims to protect the bone and tissue that support your teeth, helping keep your natural teeth intact.
- It Protects Against Systemic Inflammation: Managing gum disease can help prevent harmful bacteria from entering the bloodstream and causing systemic inflammation.
- It Preserves Your Natural Smile: Proactive gum care prevents recession and tooth shifting, helping keep your smile looking youthful and healthy.
- It Relieves Bad Breath: Deep cleanings remove the bacteria hidden in periodontal pockets that are often the root cause of chronic bad breath (halitosis).
- It Helps Reveal Systemic Concerns: Frequent gum screenings can often detect early warning signs of chronic systemic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
Periodontal Care Near Me in Hickory Creek, TX
If you’ve noticed bleeding gums, tenderness, or other signs of periodontal disease, contact Alta Family Dental to schedule a consultation. Dr. Bell will recommend the most conservative solutions to maintain your gum health. We strive to provide you with a patient experience that exceeds your expectations.
Call our Hickory Creek family practice at 940-344-6070 to schedule your personalized consultation or book an appointment online today!