Periodontal Disease Treatment
At Elgin Family Dental, we are committed to helping you and your family enjoy excellent oral health. Preventive treatments like exams and dental cleanings are the best way to achieve this goal. When we monitor your oral health on an ongoing basis, we can help you avoid developing damaging dental conditions like periodontal disease.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease or gingivitis, is an infection that affects your gums, jaw bone, and connective tissues that support your teeth. It is caused by bacteria-filled plaque and tartar that isn’t removed with adequate brushing or flossing
If plaque is allowed to remain on your teeth, it eventually turns into a hard substance called tartar. Tartar clings to your teeth and, no matter how well you brush, you can’t remove it with at-home oral hygiene alone. Only a trained dental hygienist using specialized instruments can thoroughly clean all surfaces of your teeth.
Fortunately, you can minimize the risk of ever developing gum disease by following a conscientious routine of at-home oral hygiene and routine visits to your Elgin family dentist for cleanings and exams.
The Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease has become a widespread problem that affects nearly half of all US adults over the age of thirty. Some warning signs that may indicate gum disease is present are:
- Red, swollen, or puffy gums
- Bleeding gums when you brush
- Pain or sensitivity when you chew
- Receding gum tissue
- Tooth movement
The Importance of Controlling Gum Disease
Preventing and treating gum disease is not just good for your oral health; numerous studies indicate a link between chronic inflammation in your mouth and your overall health. The gum inflammation can also affect the bloodstream and increase your risk for health complications such as:
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disease
- Certain cancers
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Pregnancy complications
Gum Disease Treatment
Treatment for gum disease improves your oral health and supports optimum overall health. The best way to ensure your family’s excellent oral health is by making and keeping regularly scheduled appointments at our Elgin, TX dental office, including dental exams and professional cleanings with our hygienist.
The treatment approach we use depends on your level of gum disease.
Gingivitis
If you aren’t diligent about oral hygiene, you may develop gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease. Typically, all that’s needed to resolve gingivitis is a thorough professional cleaning and a review of correct brushing and flossing habits.
Periodontitis
However, without treatment, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. This is the most severe form of gum disease and attacks your gums and the supporting structures of your teeth including your jaw bone.
Periodontitis requires a deep cleaning treatment to remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline to ensure that the infection is gone. Next, your hygienist smooths the root surfaces of your teeth which eliminates spots where bacteria can collect and allows the gums to reattach more easily after treatment. After SRP, we will also apply an antibiotic treatment called Arestin to the periodontal pockets to promote healing.
Convenient, Comfortable Care
We continually work on the relationships we build with our patients and try to show you every day how much we appreciate you. You can count on Dr. Scott and Dr. Carl to deliver the treatments you need and never judge or lecture you about your past oral health habits.
Please call us at (512) 285-3322 to arrange an appointment or use our convenient online contact form.
OUR TEAM
Scott B. Herring, DDS
Scott B. Herring, DDS was born and raised in Elgin, Texas. He completed his undergraduate degree at Southwestern University. In 2005, he graduated cum laude from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. At graduation, he received the prestigious Excellence in Clinical Dentistry Award.
Dr. Scott joined Elgin Family Dental in 2005. After living in Dallas and San Antonio, he is happy to be back home in Elgin and Central Texas, surrounded by family and friends. While living ...
Frequently Asked Questions
You are right to be concerned about gum disease. It is such a prevalent problem that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates nearly half of all adults over the age of 30 have some level of gum disease present.
One of the most common symptoms of gum disease is bleeding or swollen gums when you brush and floss. Other signs to look for are:
- Your gums are tender when touched
- Your teeth feel loose
- You have persistent bad breath, even after you brush
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that attacks the gums and tissue that hold your teeth in place. Without proper oral hygiene and regular professional dental cleanings, bacteria have a chance to develop and linger in pockets that surround your teeth. The gums gradually become infected, destroying healthy gum tissue and leading to decay and even possible tooth loss.
At Elgin Family Dental, we have effective solutions for eliminating gum disease or minimizing its effects on your oral health. But the best way to avoid ever developing gum disease in the first place is diligent oral hygiene at home and regular visits to our office for preventive exams and cleanings.
If you suspect that you may have gum disease, please call us to arrange an appointment for a dental cleaning. Preventing gum disease is not difficult, and it can save you a lot of costly treatments in the future.
Your hygienist or one of our dentists may suggest that you undergo a deep cleaning, also referred to as scaling and root planing, to treat your periodontal disease. If you have not had a preventive cleaning in some time, the buildup of plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) can grow and cause issues deep in the gum and bone area leading to deep gum pockets, receding gums, and bone and tooth loss.
During a deep cleaning at Elgin Family Dental, your hygienist will expertly remove all the plaque and calculus (tartar) that forms on your teeth above and below the gum line, including cleaning to the bottom of the pocket that surrounds your tooth. She will then smooth the root surfaces to encourage the gums to reattach to your teeth.
Patients who smoke or chew tobacco or have diabetes or immune deficiencies may be at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. Our office is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy mouth which is linked to our overall health such as cardiac and inflammatory disease. If you notice that your gums look puffy and inflamed or bleed when you brush, please call Elgin Family Dental so that we can arrange your next professional cleaning.