Healthy gum translates to healthy teeth and a fantastic smile. But the greatest threat to healthy gum and teeth is periodontal disease. This disease is caused by various factors including;
- Gingivitis
- Smoking tobacco
- Poor oral hygiene
Luckily with regular oral examinations and professional cleanings, you can keep your teeth for life! In the oral examination, the dentist is keen to observe any early signs of gum disease caused by bacteria that you might have overlooked. That said, take a look at periodontal therapy and what it entails.
What Is Periodontal Therapy?
Periodontal therapy comes in different forms, but its purpose includes restoration of diseased tissue to health. It’s also called root planing or periodontal scaling. Its primary focus is to treat periodontal diseases that mainly affect the gum caused by bacterial infection.
Signs of gum disease include bleeding, detachment, and bone loss. Ultimately, this disease leads to tooth loss, which contributes to the increasing cases of dentures.
The Process of Periodontal Treatment
The periodontal therapy begins with numbing the affected area, then proceeds to remove the bacteria and tartar trapped on the root of the teeth under the gum line. The removal of bacteria is vital because it leads to gum detachment from the tooth if left untreated. Even worse, the bacteria deteriorate the bone holding the teeth in place.
Then, the dentist uses ultrasonic cleaner and scalers to eliminate plaque and tartar accumulated on the tooth root. This process might sound uncomfortable, but luckily it isn’t because the area is numb. Periodontal therapy takes an hour and a half, and you only require two sessions unless instructed otherwise. For those located in Provo or other Utah County cities, you can get such services at an affordable price from some of the leading dentists in the area.
Once the therapy is over, the gum will heal as usual, and the pockets decrease. However, better oral care and regular hygiene appointments are crucial to ensuring satisfying results with periodontal therapy.
Benefits Of Periodontal Treatment
Prevents tooth loss. The main reason for tooth loss is periodontal disease. The bacteria trapped under the gum line weakens the bone around it, leading to gum detachment and later tooth loss.
Improved oral health. Since the process eliminates the bacteria in your mouth, you expect your overall oral hygiene to improve. Interestingly, there is a link between oral bacteria and a high risk of illnesses like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. So, good oral health contributes to better overall health.
Eliminates bad breath. Several people experience chronic bad breath, referred to as halitosis. The periodontal disease produces waste with a distinct odor that can’t be solved using mints or mouthwash. Instead, it would help if you underwent the therapy to obliterate the source of the odor.
When You Need Periodontal Therapy
When gum disease starts to advance. It’s common to experience the mildest form of gum disease called gingivitis. But once gingivitis moves to moderate or advanced periodontitis, then it’s time for periodontal therapy.
Bone loss. Advanced gum disease leads to loosening of teeth and bone loss. At this point, your condition is severe, and you require immediate dental treatment. Also, the dentist might recommend you undergo a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and planning.
Consult Your Dentist
Before undergoing any dental treatment, you must consult with your dentist so that they can advise on the best dental care you need. In addition, they will guide you through every procedure and help you mitigate any specific risk that might occur.