(801) 377-0037
2211 Valley Vista Way Provo, UT 84606
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Provo
Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease. This is a concern because it affects the tissues that support the teeth. The condition is progressive which can lead to tooth loss and other health issues. If you have any questions regarding periodontal disease, give our office a call at (801) 377-0037.
Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Recognizing the Symptoms
- Early symptoms- The early symptoms of periodontal disease are red, swollen gums that bleed easily while brushing or flossing. During this stage, it is commonly reversible with professional dental cleanings and better oral hygiene habits.
- Advanced symptoms- As the disease worsens, the common symptoms include persistent bad breath, receding gums, deep pockets between the teeth, and changes in the way the teeth fit together when biting.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Plaque buildup- This is the most common cause of periodontal disease. The buildup of plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If this is not removed, it turns into tartar, which is harder to clean and can cause more gum inflammation.
- Genetics- Some patients are more susceptible to gum disease due to their genetics.
- Lifestyle factors- Many lifestyle factors can increase the risk of developing periodontal disease. This can include smoking, bad oral hygiene, and a high-sugar diet.
- Medical conditions- Conditions like diabetes, hormonal changes, and medications that reduce saliva can contribute to gum disease.
Treatment Approaches
- Non-surgical treatments:
- Professional dental cleanings- This option removes the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline.
- Scaling and root planing- This option is a deep cleaning where plaque and tartar are removed from deep below the gum pockets and smooths the tooth’s root to help the gums reattach to the teeth.
- Surgical treatments:
- Pocket reduction surgery- This procedure is where the gums are lifted back to remove the tartar. The surface of the damaged bone is then smoothed where bacteria can hide and cause more problems.
- Soft tissue grafts- This procedure is used to cover roots or develop gum tissue where the gums have receded because of the gingival recession.
- Bone grafting- This procedure is used to regenerate and rebuild the bone that was damaged by the periodontitis. The materials used for the graft can be natural or synthetic and can help promote the growth of the natural bone.
- Guided tissue regeneration- This procedure helps grow the bone that was affected by the bacteria. They use a small piece of fabric that is biocompatible and insert it between the bone and the tooth.
- Laser treatment: This procedure is used to remove the infected gum tissue and to help promote the growth of healthy tissue.
Ongoing Management and Prevention
- Regular dental visits- This is important to detect periodontitis early and after treatment, manage the disease, and keep the gums healthy.
- Effective oral hygiene practices- Brushing and flossing at least twice daily is important to remove plaque and prevent gum disease.
- Lifestyle modifications- It’s important to take steps to better your oral health which includes quitting smoking, managing diabetes, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Common Myths
Myth: Gum disease is only a dental issue.
Fact: Gum disease not only affects your gums but also has been linked to other health issues, like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions
Myth: Bleeding gums are normal.
Fact: Bleeding gums is not normal, it is a sign of inflammation and should be treated right away. Bleeding gums is an indication of onset gingivitis.
Myth: Once you have periodontal disease, tooth loss is inevitable.
Fact: It is possible to stop the progression of gum disease with early detection and going through the treatment plan.
Periodontal disease is a common condition that can be prevented and fixed with correct care and proper treatment. If you have any questions or think that you have gum disease, give our office a call at (801) 377-0037.
Frequently Asked Questions
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection in the tissues around your teeth. It’s usually caused by plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria on the teeth. If plaque isn’t removed daily by brushing and flossing, it can irritate the gums and lead to gum disease. Smoking, genetics, illnesses, and some medications can also cause gum disease as well.
Some of the most common symptoms are swollen, red gums, sensitive gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, receding gums, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, or even changes in the way they fit together when closing your mouth. Gum disease may not show any of these symptoms in its early stages, so it’s important to make it to regular check-ups so the dentist can detect it early on.
Yes. There are different stages of the disease. The disease will start with gingivitis which is the mildest form of gum disease. It will then progress to periodontitis, which is where the infection will spread to the bone and tissues which can cause severe symptoms and potential bone loss.
To diagnose periodontal disease, the doctor will need to perform an exam and check for bleeding gums, swelling, and pocket depth. There is also a possibility that X-rays will be taken to observe if there is any bone loss and the teeth surrounding the area.
This will depend on the specific treatment plans and the severity of the disease. If caught early, there are non-surgical treatments available like a deep cleaning. If the disease is more severe, it may require surgical options for treatment like flap surgery or bone and tissue grafts to treat the disease fully.
Yes. Some research has shown that there are links between periodontal disease and other health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. The cause is inflammation which is connected to periodontal disease.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, this is reversible by professional dental cleanings and by practicing good oral hygiene habits. However, the more severe stages of gum disease require more aggressive treatment to make sure that the gums are healthy.
To prevent the disease, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits, which include brushing and flossing twice daily, as well as visiting the dentist for checkups and cleanings. Things to avoid would be smoking, managing diabetes, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Most patients that receive non-surgical treatment, do not feel pain during the procedure. For surgical procedures, a local anesthetic can be used to make sure that you are comfortable. After treatment, it is normal to feel some discomfort, but usually, this can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
If you are not sure if this is a dental emergency, give our office a call and talk with our experienced team and they will be able to provide you with the necessary advice on how to proceed.
BOOKING HOURS
M 8-5 | Tu 8-5 | Wed 8-5 | Th 7-3 | Fr CLOSED
We are OPEN for ALL dental care procedures and emergency needs. Protecting the health and safety of our patients, families, and team members remains our number one priority.
Free $50 Gift Card*
$50 Gift Card when you complete an appointment with us!
*Redeemable after completed paid treatment. Must be a new patient our organization (all locations). The patient will receive a gift card via email or SMS after completion of their appointment. Cannot be combined with other offers or dental discount plans.
Free Exam & X-ray^
For New Patients without insurance we offer Free Exam and X-rays!
^For New Patients that do not have dental insurance. New patients must be 18 or older to receive free exam and x-rays. Discounts cannot be combined with other offers or dental discount plans. Additional fees may be included in individual cases.
$99 Hygiene Visit^^
For New Patients without insurance we offer Free Exam and X-rays!
^^For new patients without dental insurance. Includes Exam, X-Ray and Routine Cleaning. A Periodontal Cleaning requires additional fees, and rescheduled for further treatment. Cannot be combined with other offers or dental discount plans.
East Mountain Dental
