Overcome Gum Disease with Effective Periodontal Maintenance Procedures

Optimal oral hygiene is more than keeping your smile beautiful and teeth decay-free. It also prevents issues like periodontal disease from causing irreversible damage. Periodontal disease is a common oral condition that affects the gums and the surrounding tissues. When not treated, gum infection can advance into full-blown periodontitis that causes gingival recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss!

The team at Jonathan J. Golab, DDS, PA, in Flower Mound, Texas, understands the importance of healthy gums. Dr. Jonathan Golab and the team educate patients on the importance of good oral hygiene to keep their gums infection-free. However, if gum disease has sneaked into your smile, we offer periodontal treatments to ensure you maintain optimal gum health.

How gum disease develops

While several factors can cause gum infection, plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease. Dental plaque is a thin, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Dental plaque contains toxins that irritate gums, causing symptoms like gum redness, bleeding, swelling, and tenderness. 

Plaque can be removed with dental floss and a toothbrush, but when you fail in your oral hygiene, plaque calcifies into tartar (dental calculus) that only a dental hygienist can remove. Tartar invites more bacteria into your mouth that damage the ligaments between teeth and gums, causing gingival recession as your gums start pulling away from teeth.

As the harmful bacteria multiply, they destroy the teeth-supporting structures, leading to loose teeth that eventually fall out. 

Gum disease treatment for a healthy smile

At its earliest stage (gingivitis), gum disease can be reversed with at-home dental hygiene and standard cleanings. However, if there is a significant buildup of plaque and tartar, Dr. Golab will recommend deep teeth cleaning. This double-barreled treatment combines scaling and root planing (SRP) to overcome disease.

During scaling, the dentist uses special skills and tools to remove plaque and tartar from the base of the teeth. Then, after removing accumulated calculus, the dentist smoothes and polishes the tooth roots to prevent bacteria invasion and to encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth. While deep teeth cleaning is a stand-alone procedure, sometimes we complement it with antibiotic therapy to prevent re-infection.

Deep teeth cleaning can eliminate several cases of gum disease, but you may need advanced treatments like gum flap surgery and bone and gum tissue grafting, where bone and gum tissues have been severely damaged. Whatever the case, we’ll work with you until you achieve optimal gum health. 

How to prevent gum disease

The best way to keep your gums healthy is through preventive dental care. Observe the tips below to keep your gums free from gum infections.

• Brush twice daily
• Floss everyday
• Consider a medicated mouthwash
• Visit a dentist every six months for regular dental exams and cleanings
• Avoid smoking
• Eat a healthy diet
• Manage immune-suppressing diseases like diabetes and HIV/Aids

Periodontal maintenance near me

Are you losing the battle to gum disease? We won’t let that happen! Please call (469) 444-2119 to schedule an appointment with the Jonathan J. Golab, DDS, PA team for effective gum disease treatment. 

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