GUM DISEASE HOUSTON, TX

Gum Disease is a Progressive Conditions

Gum (periodontal) disease is a progressive condition affecting the soft and hard tissue of the mouth. Without proper treatment and periodontal maintenance, oral health can decline, teeth may become loose or fall out, and systemic health can suffer. Gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease, can be effectively treated by removing decay from below the gum line. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to the incurable periodontitis. Since gum disease in Houston, TX can develop at any age and early-stage symptoms are often overlooked, routine visits to our office can help us keep your teeth and gums healthy by halting its progression early.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

• Tender or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Gum recession
• Sensitive teeth
• Chronic bad breath
• Loosening teeth
• Tooth or gum infection

Information About Gum Disease

The Importance of Treating Gum Disease

Gum disease can lead to many long-term health complications, so it is important to receive treatment at the first sign of symptoms. The three-stage disease begins with reversible gingivitis, characterized by tender, bleeding gums. Periodontitis in the second stage and may include loosening teeth, the development of pockets around the teeth, and bad breath. The final stage of gum disease, advanced periodontitis, involves severe gum recession, deep pockets, and an increased chance of tooth loss and systemic complications. Treating each stage of gum disease is pertinent to ensuring good oral health and that the disease does not continue to progress. We offer four custom treatment options based on the condition of your teeth and gums.

What Are The Surgical Options For Periodontitis? 

There are numerous surgical options available for periodontitis. Here are the most prominent surgical options available out of them to consider.

Scaling and Root Planning

A deep cleaning that eliminates plaque, tartar, and bacteria buildup on teeth below the gum line. Root planing smooths the teeth to help gums reattach to teeth and reduce pocket depth.

Flap Surgery  

Flap surgery, which is also known as pocket reduction surgery, is the most common surgical option available for the people with periodontitis. As mentioned earlier, the periodontist will make a small incision in the gum and lift back the gum tissue. This is done with the objective of exposing roots. Periodontitis can often result in bone loss. That’s why this surgical procedure can deliver effective returns as it will suture back the gum tissue in the proper place. After healing, you will be able to proceed with dental cleanings easily.

Soft Tissue Grafts 

In case if you lose gum tissue, the gum line would recede. This is where you will need to get some of the soft tissue reinforced. During the soft tissue grafting surgical procedure, the surgeon will remove a tiny amount of tissue from the palate of your mouth and place that on the affected site. Along with that, you can effectively stop additional gum recession. Moreover, it can provide assistance to you with covering up the roots as well.

Bone Grafting  

If periodontitis has already destroyed bone around your tooth, you will need to proceed with bone grafting. In here, the graft will be made from tiny fragments of your own bone. Or else, it is possible to make a synthetic bone for bone grafting as well. You can stick to this surgical procedure and prevent tooth loss effectively.

Guided Tissue Regeneration  

This surgical procedure will ensure the regrowth of bone, which has been destroyed through the presence of bacteria in your mouth. During the surgical procedure, the dentist would place a small amount of a biocompatible fabric in between your tooth and bone. This will provide you with assistance needed to get unwanted tissue from getting to the healing area. As a result, you can allow the bone to grow back.

What Are The Benefits of Scaling & Root Planing? 

Gingivitis can be considered as the very first stage indicating gum disease. If you can detect gum disease at an early stage, you can proceed with the most effective treatments available for it and overcome the negative consequences that you have to face. This is where you can take a look at scaling and root planing.

How Can I Make my Gums Healthy Again?  

There are some useful tips that you can keep in mind to make your gums healthy again. Here are the most prominent tips out of them. If you can adhere to these tips, you will never come across any issues with maintaining proper health of your gums. In other words, these tips will ensure that you will not have to go for gum disease treatment in the future. 

Floss your teeth on a daily basis   

It is a good habit to floss your teeth on a daily basis. Then you will be able to remove food and plaque, which your toothbrush cannot remove. You do brushing and flossing at any preferred time of the day. 

Go for regular dental cleanings   

You must visit the office of your dentist for regular cleanings. This is one of the most effective tips available for you to consider and keep gum disease from worsening. You will be able to get the help of a dentist to remove tartar effectively. 

Quit Smoking 

If you are a person who smokes, you should get rid of the bad habit. There is a strong relationship between smoking and gum disease. Smoking will create a negative impact on your immune system and lead you towards gum disease. 

Brush your teeth twice a day   

You must come up with the good habit of brushing your teeth at least two times a day. If possible, you should brush your teeth every single time after a meal. While brushing teeth, ensure that you don’t forget to scrub your tongue as well. 

Use a fluoride toothpaste for brushing teeth  

It is important to stick to a toothpaste that contains fluoride to brush your teeth. Then you will be able to reduce the chances of getting gingivitis. They can ensure good health for your gums as well. 

Get the help of a therapeutic mouthwash 

You must also think about purchasing a therapeutic mouthwash from the market. Then you will be able to reduce the buildup of plaque inside the mouth, which can deliver assistance with reducing gingivitis.

What Medications are Recommended for Periodontal Treatment? 

A prescription antimicrobial mouthwash is among the most common medications that dentists recommend for periodontal treatment. They are in apposition to deliver effective results with controlling the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

They offer perfect dental cleanings and you can eliminate the chances of getting gum disease. Another common medication prescribed to the patients is antiseptic chips. This is nothing but a small piece of gelatin. It is filled up with chlorhexidine. It can deliver effective returns to you with ensuring periodontal treatment.  

Some of the dentists tend to prescribe antibiotic gels as well. If the gel contains doxycycline, it can be used for periodontal treatment effectively.

What if I Have Advanced Periodontitis? 

If you have advanced periodontitis, scaling and root planing will not be able to deliver any assistance to you. This is where you will have to think about getting a dental surgery.

A flap surgery will be able to help you with overcoming the health condition you face. Flap surgery is also called pocket reduction surgery. In here, the periodontist will be making a small incision within our gum, so that it is possible to lift back the soft tissue.

Along with this surgical procedure, you will be able to expose the root, which can help you with getting effective returns with scaling and root planing.

You can discuss with your dentist and see whether you will need to proceed with a surgical procedure.

What Are Some Home Remedies for Periodontal Treatment? 

You can follow some home remedies as an effective periodontal treatment as well. Following are some of the most prominent home remedies available for you to follow.

 Drink green tea 

Green tea comes to you along with a high volume of antioxidants. These antioxidants will be able to provide assistance to you with reducing inflammation in the mouth. Along with that, you can effectively take control over the activity of bacteria within your mouth. In other words, you can reduce inflammation in the mouth and provide enhanced protection to the gums against damage.

Hydrogen peroxide  

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most effective mild antiseptic compounds. You can often see how people use it to overcome skin infections. It is possible to proceed with swishing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide as a periodontal treatment home remedy as well. That’s because you can kill bacteria in the mouth, which are responsible for leading you towards gum disease.

Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera is well-known for providing all the support needed by people with providing protection against burns in the skin. It can also deliver positive results in your mouth as a home remedy for periodontal treatment. That’s because you can get rid of bacteria that is causing gum diseases.

Periodontitis vs Gingivitis​: What are the Differences?

​There are some key differences between Periodontitis and Gingivitis. You get Gingivitis when your gum is inflamed. If you don’t provide treatment for this inflammation, things can get worse. This is where you will have to experience Periodontitis, which is also called gum disease.  

During the early stage of gingivitis, you will notice bacteria within the plaque buildup and lead you towards bleeding of gums. However, your teeth will still remain anchored to the sockets. You should go for treatments during this stage. Otherwise, you will get Periodontitis, where your bone and gum tissue will get destroyed. It will loosen your teeth as well and you will have to go ahead with complex surgical options for treatments.

Timely Treatment for Gum Disease in Houston, Tx

Treating and controlling gum disease can save your gums and teeth, and help to restore health back to your smile. We strive to bring you exceptional care that not only helps rid your mouth of gum disease, but keeps it from returning in the future. Our experienced team is trained in recognizing all signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, so we can catch and effectively eliminate problem areas before any severe damage occurs. For nervous patients, we offer calming sedation options for a relaxing and comfortable experience.