At Plano and Gunter Parkhaven Dental Care, we believe it’s our job to protect your whole health by providing superior, long-term preventive and restorative dental care. When your oral health declines, so does your overall health, as demonstrated by gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease is not just a serious dental concern; it has been linked to heart disease and diabetes, as well as low birth weight in children born to women suffering from it.
Periodontal disease begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and may result in tooth loss due to destruction of the tissues that surrounds the teeth. Periodontal disease is the number one chronic infection in the world. Over 50% of the U.S. adult population has some form of gum disease, and it affects all ages.
What Is Periodontal/Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, bleeding, or receding gums, as well as bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth. It starts when plaque is found in the mouth and hardens into a substance called tartar, which can only be removed with a professional cleaning. If plaque and tartar are not removed, the bacteria eventually cause a mild form of periodontal disease called gingivitis, in which the gums bleed and become red and swollen. Gingivitis is still reversible, and it can be treated with a professional dental cleaning and regular brushing and flossing. However, when left untreated, the gum disease worsens, leading to an advanced form called periodontitis that can cause severe damage to the soft tissue that supports the teeth, resulting in infection and eventual tooth loss.
Gum Disease Treatments
At Parkhaven Dental Care, your Plano or Gunter dentist can offer a variety of periodontal therapy treatments that address gum disease at its various stages. Periodontal therapy begins with a consultation and exam, so Drs. Pincus, Dr. Sayek, or Dr. Dad can determine the stage of the disease and develop a treatment plan. The general goal of periodontal disease treatment is infection control. There are a variety of treatments for gum disease, depending on the severity of the disease, previous treatments, and general health.
- Professional dental cleaning
- Surgical treatment: indicated when nonsurgical treatment is not effective or for tissue reattachment or grafts
- Professional dental cleaning: Drs. Pincus, Dr. Sayek, or Dr. Dad will remove the plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. If you have gingivitis or signs of periodontitis, you will be required to have this level of cleaning twice a year or more.
- Scaling and root planing: a very deep-cleaning, nonsurgical removal of the plaque, tartar, and rough debris from the root surfaces, which allows the infected and inflamed tissue to heal and reattach tightly to the tooth.
After you receive your treatment, you will be given instructions on specific oral hygiene techniques to use regularly at home. In severe cases of periodontal disease, surgery may be required to remove deep pockets of harmful bacteria.
Parkhaven Dental Care is committed to conservatively treating periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is simply, quickly, and painlessly diagnosed by our dentists.
Gingivitis and gum disease are preventable and treatable. If you are concerned that you might have periodontal disease, contact Parkhaven Dental at our Plano, TX office (972) 535-8081 or Gunter, TX office (972) 360-9693 to ask about periodontal disease and treatment options.