What is periodontics?
Periodontics focuses on the gums and other structures in your mouth surrounding your teeth, including your periodontal ligament alveolar bone.
A periodontist treats diseases affecting your gums and monitors the health of your gums. A periodontist can:
- Treat gingivitis (mild periodontitis)
- Remove damaged or infected tissue
- Treat severe periodontitis
- Clean infected surfaces in your mouth
- Place and maintain dental implants
Unhealthy gums are linked with several serious diseases, such as stroke, coronary artery disease, and arthritis. The providers at Just For Your Smile specialize in periodontics.
Do I need periodontal care?
You might need periodontal care if you have certain symptoms of periodontal disease, such as:
- Bad breath
- Sensitive teeth and gums
- Swollen gums
- Gum recession
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
Certain factors can heighten your risk of developing periodontal disease, such as:
- Genetics
- A poor diet
- Poor oral hygiene
- Old age
- Drug abuse
- Hormonal changes
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
You might need more frequent dental cleanings and checkups if some of these risk factors apply to you.
If you have symptoms of periodontal disease, you should visit Just For Your Smile for evaluation and treatment.
How is periodontal disease treated?
At Just For Your Smile, your dentist can treat mild cases of gum disease with certain medications and healthy lifestyle changes. Your dentist might suggest oral surgery to fully restore your smile in more severe cases.
With significant and more advanced periodontal disease, some of the most common dental treatments include:
- Prescription mouthwash
- Bone grafts
- Antibiotic treatments
- Flap surgery (surgical pocket reduction)
- Tissue grafting and gum grafting
- Antiseptic chip (medicated gelatin you place in your mouth)
The dentists at Just For Your Smile use advanced technology, such as soft tissue lasers, and specialize in gum rejuvenation. They also use the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique — an advanced treatment for gum recession that involves a fine needle and a small hole and avoids the need for sutures.
Professional teeth cleaning, including periodontal scaling and root planing, can help protect you from periodontal disease. With root planing and scaling, your dentist carefully removes all the tartar and plaque and deep cleans below your gum line.
For top-quality periodontal care, call Just For Your Smile or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.
