Maintaining optimal oral health calls for more than just brushing and flossing. It also involves caring for the foundation of your teeth: the gums. Thus, periodontal treatment, which plays a corrective and preventive role in addressing periodontal (gum) disease, is another major factor in caring for the supporting structures of a person’s smile and bite.
Today, we’re looking at how periodontal treatment leads to healthier gums and stronger teeth and its role in an improved overall quality of life.
Understanding Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Periodontal disease is when the gum tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth become inflamed and infected. As with other oral health ailments, gum disease begins with poor dental care practices, which lead to the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, on the teeth and along the gumline.
Left unaddressed by at-home means and untreated professionally, plaque hardens into tartar. It’s worth mentioning that tartar cannot be treated at home and requires professional intervention. Tartar that is not treated promptly causes inflammation and irritation of the gums or gingivitis. This is the early stage of gum disease.
If gingivitis is not properly addressed, it will progress into periodontitis, a more severe stage of gum disease. Periodontitis sufferers will see their gums begin to pull away from their teeth, creating pockets that tend to become infected. Over time, these infections can erode the gum tissue supporting the teeth and the jawbone. Without professional treatment, this can all combine to cause tooth decay and, ultimately, tooth loss.
Periodontal Treatment and Its Benefits
Periodontal treatment aims to reverse the effects of gum disease. In milder cases, scaling and root planing, a non-surgical procedure in which teeth and their roots are cleaned to remove plaque and tartar, will suffice. More severe cases, however, can require surgical procedures like gum flap surgery.
The benefits of periodontal treatment are straightforward but massive. First, it prevents further damage to the gums and their supporting structures, creating firmer and healthier anchor points for the teeth in place. This is vital to not only oral but also overall health, as severe periodontal issues have been linked to health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Austin, TX
If you’re in the Austin area, whether you’re looking to ensure that any periodontal issues are promptly and effectively addressed or are simply looking for a cosmetic solution like porcelain veneers to enhance your already-healthy smile, contact dentist Dr. Poonam Gokhale and the West Creek Dental team to schedule a consultation!