How do you know if it’s time to see a periodontist in Pompano Beach? Are you required to see one every year? The answer is no. It’s not necessary unless your gums feel sore, or if they bleed while you brush and floss or if they’re swollen and inflamed. In such cases, your general dentist may refer you to a specialist. Unfortunately, gum disease is pretty common in America.
According to the most recent CDC report, 47% of adults older than 30 years old suffer from gum disease, while 70% of the population 65 years old and above were diagnosed with periodontal disease. So how do periodontists treat gum disease?
The treatments vary depending on the severity of the disease.
Routine dental cleanings can help reverse gum disease by removing plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and along the gumline. When tartar isn’t removed, it will inflame and irritate your gums, leading to gingivitis.
A more thorough version of routine cleaning is scaling and root planing. It’s a non-surgical procedure that aims to deep clean your teeth. This will require the administration of local anesthesia.
Unlike routine cleaning that removes plaque and tartar on the visible part of your teeth, scaling and root planing includes your tooth roots. The roots are smoothened to prevent bacteria from reattaching to your teeth.
If your gum disease is more advanced, your periodontist may have to perform pocket reduction surgery. In this procedure, your gums will be lifted to remove tartar. The irregular surface of the bone is smoothened to discourage bacteria from hiding in those areas. After the procedure, your gums are placed back snugly around each tooth so that bacteria cannot form spaces between your tooth and gums.
If your gums hurt or if they bleed when you brush, come to us. At Park Plaza Dental, we take pride in our years of experience in the industry. Not only do we give you beautiful smiles, but we also make sure your oral health is in tip-top shape. So, give us a call to learn more about our services.
If you have any questions about the services we offer, don’t hesitate to call Park Plaza Dental. Our team is here to make your next appointment a comfortable and productive one.