PERIODONTAL TREATMENT WINCHESTER, VA
When gum disease first starts, it is almost invisible. The red, swollen gums that characterize the first stages often go unnoticed. Some may take notice but think that these symptoms are no big deal. When gum disease goes untreated, it only gets worse. Bacteria travel below the gums as the tissue begins to pull away from your teeth. Once there, they start attacking your jawbone and your periodontal ligaments. Pockets between your gums and teeth grow deeper. Gums recede, and your teeth become loose. Eventually, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. If you have gum disease, it is crucial to seek treatment right away. Shenandoah Family Dentistry – Winchester can help with periodontal therapy.
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL THERAPY?
Periodontal therapy is a noninvasive treatment for gum disease that involves scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is essentially a deep cleaning of your teeth during which all surfaces, both above and below your gumline, are thoroughly cleaned.
Scaling is the cleaning of your teeth’s visible surfaces. Using a scaler, we remove all buildup, including stubborn tartar and calcified plaque. Our dentist in Winchester gives close attention to the areas of your teeth around the gumline and just below it.
After the teeth have been scaled, our dentist, Dr. Jared Pell, moves on to root planing. Using specialized tools, our Winchester dentist removes plaque, bacteria, and toxins from the roots of your teeth, effectively smoothing them. By smoothing the surfaces of your tooth roots, we prevent new plaque and bacteria from adhering to them. Finally, an antibacterial wash is applied below the gums to clean the area. You are then scheduled for a follow-up visit 6 to 8 weeks later to ensure your oral health is improving.
CONTINUED TREATMENT WITH PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE
Many patients show significant improvement in their oral health at their follow-up visit. However, if periodontal therapy does not yield the desired results, we may recommend periodontal maintenance. Periodontal maintenance is a series of regularly scheduled visits to our dental office during which the teeth are examined and cleaned. This is done to help your gums, and your whole mouth, to further heal. The condition of your mouth at your follow-up will determine the frequency of your appointments.
GUM DISEASE PREVENTION
Successful periodontal therapy helps your gums to properly reattach to your teeth, enabling them to effectively prevent new bacteria from traveling below the gumline. However, new gum disease can occur. It is essential that you take action to prevent this from happening. To prevent gum disease, practice good oral hygiene. Oral hygiene involves several components.
Most of your oral hygiene habits take place at home. It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. In addition to your oral care routine at home, it is also recommended that you have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined at least twice a year.
With periodontal therapy, our dentist in Winchester, VA, can halt the progression of gum disease and help your gums begin healing. For more information, call Shenandoah Family Dentistry – Winchester today at 540-773-0234.