Periodontal Therapy – Daytona Beach, FL

How Common is Gum Disease?

According to a study in The Journal of the American Dental Association, more than 40% of adults in the United States have some form of gum disease, mostly periodontitis. As you age, that percentage grows higher. The study examined the prevalence of periodontitis in adults during a six-year period (2009-2014), and the report was published in July 2018.

Considered to be one of the most common problems seen by dental professionals, the symptoms associated with the disease can go undetected or untreated for many years, making it easy for early stages of gum disease in Daytona Beach to quickly develop into more advanced stages such as periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. 

Phases of Gum Disease

There are generally three stages of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Early signs of gum disease typically include red, inflamed gums that bleed when brushing and flossing. At this point, your dentist in Daytona Beach can effectively reverse gingivitis with a thorough cleaning and regular oral hygiene habits practiced at home.

If gingivitis develops into periodontitis, the bone and fibers that work to keep your teeth in place will be damaged in a way that it cannot be reversed. Gum pockets will begin to develop below the gum line, and harmful bacteria and food particles can become trapped.

The most severe stage is advanced periodontitis. By this point, the bone and fibers are destroyed, and your teeth will become loose or begin to shift. Not only will it begin to affect your bite, but if treatment is unable to save your teeth, they will need to be removed.

Treatment Options

Depending on which stage of gum disease you have, the treatment options will vary:

• Gingivitis: In order to prevent early stages of gum disease from progressing, we will recommend a thorough dental cleaning by one of our highly skilled dental hygienists, as well as a commitment from you to maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. If both are successful, this will reverse the gum disease.
• Periodontitis: If gingivitis is not reversed and you reach the stage of periodontitis, it will be necessary for our dentists to perform a “deep cleaning,” which also means a scaling and root planing procedure. Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar buildup. Root planing is the process of smoothing out the tooth’s root and allowing it to reattach to your gums. This can take several visits to the dentist to complete. Antibiotic therapy can also be used in combination with scaling and root planing to decrease inflammation and keep bacterial infection out.
• Advanced Periodontitis: If scaling and root planing do not effectively work, the following procedures may be recommended:
  • Gum Pocket Reduction
  • Gum Grafting
  • Bone Grafting
  • Tooth Extraction

The Importance of Periodontal Maintenance

If you’re receiving treatment for periodontal disease, you will need to maintain regular dental visits to ensure the bacterial infection does not reoccur. While the normal schedule for a patient without periodontitis is every six months, it is highly likely that you’ll need to see us every 3-4 months. The schedule will be dependent upon your individual dental needs.

During these visits, you can expect our team to perform scaling each time, removing plaque and tartar buildup from above and below the gum line. Additionally, root planing will occur and if necessary, we will irrigate your gum pockets with an antibiotic to lessen the inflammation.

It is also crucial for you to meticulously care for your teeth and gums at home. Apart from brushing, flossing, and rinsing as instructed, you’ll also need to give up any bad dental habits that can increase your risk for gum disease, including smoking or poor eating habits.

Feel free to ask about beneficial products or tools that can help combat gum disease and help you take back your oral health.