Periodontics,a dental specialty focusing on inflammatory diseases destroying the gums and other supporting structures and of the teeth, also provides other treatmentslike dental implant placements. Tooth loss is a familiar problem affectingapproximately 70 percent of American adults. However, the most common reasonwhy patients visit periodontics in Pflugerville is to treat gum diseaseaffecting them.
Dentistsspecializing in periodontics receive extensive training in treating guminfections besides receiving three additional years of education beyond dentalschool in other dental specialties.
Periodontistslike dentist Pflugerville, TX, focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treatinginfections affecting the gums besides providing dental implants to patientsneeding them. However, many people affected by gum disease are referred toperiodontists for treatments if their condition has progressed to advancedstages.
Gumdisease is entirely preventable by brushing twice a day, flossing at leastonce, and visiting dentists frequently for cleanings and exams. It issurprising to note that most Americans neglect dental hygiene despite knowingit can affect their smile and wallet, exposing them to expensive dentaltherapies.
Gumdisease develops silently without displaying any symptoms during the earlystages. Any indications observed by patients are conveniently ignored, thinkingit results from aggressive brushing or any other causes. Never for a moment dopeople consider the need to have themselves evaluated by their dentist, whoquickly detects gum disease during regular exams and cleanings.
Whenpeople neglect the early stages of gum disease gingivitis by ignoringinflammation of the gums by bacterial infections, the condition progressessilently into a severe illness called periodontitis. It is when dentists can nolonger manage the problem, and people need help from specialists like thedentist in Pflugerville.
Mostpeople are not aware of the presence of gum disease in their mouths. Having gumdisease without symptoms is entirely possible. However, people may notice thefollowing indicators:
People with gingivitis or periodontitis are usually associated with the following riskfactors.
Dentist78660, a periodontist, diagnoses gum disease by probing the gums with a tinyruler. The dentist measures the depth pockets around the teeth, checking whether the average depth of 1 to 3 mm prevails. The dentist also orders x-raysto check for bone loss.
Patients visiting the dentist must discuss their risk factors of gum disease besidestheir symptoms. The information helps the dentist determine the future courseof action for treating the patient.
Patients must practice excellent oral hygiene when receiving treatment for gingivitis.They must also cut back on smoking or quit the habit and manage diabetes appropriately. Dentists provide treatments like deep cleaning the teeth,antibiotics, and surgery if the patient’s condition has progressed.
Dentistsperform nonsurgical treatments to deep clean patient’s teeth during the initialstages. Deep cleaning aims to remove all plaque and tartar to inhibit gumirritation. The procedure of scaling helps remove tartar from above and belowthe gum line. Root planing helps smooth any rough spots besides eliminatingplaque and tartar from the root surface.
Dentistsalso recommend various medications to treat gum disease. Antiseptic mouthwasheswith chlorhexidine are recommended to disinfect the mouth. Antiseptic chipscontaining chlorhexidine are inserted into the pockets after scaling and rootplaning. Oral antibiotics are prescribed to treat persistent conditions of guminflammation.
Ifthe patient’s condition has reached advanced stages, they may need flap surgerybesides bone and tissue grafts. Advanced stages of periodontitis are bestmanaged but cannot be treated as no cure is available for periodontal disease.However initial stages of gingivitis are easily treated or even reversed ifpatients adhere to the following:
Patientsmust practice consistent oral hygiene to prevent gum disease from developing.Besides brushing their teeth two times a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossingyour teeth every day, and visiting dentists frequently for cleanings helpprevent early gingivitis from developing.
Patientsneglecting the above must prepare themselves to maintain periodontal disease byseeking treatment from periodontics in Pflugerville regularly to ensure thecondition does not progress.
