Periodontal Disease in Spring, TX

A common oral problem, gum (periodontal) disease adversely affects the smiles and general health of millions of Americans. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth that affect gum tissues and the underlying bone structure, which leads to symptoms like bleeding gums, inflammation, loose teeth, and bad breath. Over time, gum disease can cause bone loss in the jaw and is the leading cause behind tooth loss in adults. Many concerning general health problems can arise due to gum disease as well, so it's important to catch this disease early in order to minimize its systemic impact and restore health to your smile.

Gum disease is typically diagnosed into one of three stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, or advanced periodontitis. With gingivitis, bacteria cause the gum tissues to bleed or become red and inflamed. If you treat gum disease while it's in the gingivitis stage, it's possible to reverse the effects, as no bone tissue has been damaged yet. Periodontitis happens when bacterial toxins begin to break down the underlying bone structures and also cause gum recession in some cases. Symptoms of advanced periodontitis include tooth mobility or loss, due to the advanced damage of the bone tissue supporting the teeth.

Stopping this disease in its tracks as early as possible is the ideal way to treat periodontal disease and keep it from impacting your oral and general health. Our skilled periodontist offers nonsurgical and surgical procedures for Made Ya Smile Rayford patients who need treatment for all stages of gum disease. It is not normal to experience bleeding when you brush, floss, or eat or symptoms like chronic bad breath and gum recession. These symptoms can indicate the presence of an infection in your mouth. Call our Spring, TX family practice today to schedule your periodontal consultation if you notice any signs or symptoms of gum disease.

It may be difficult to detect symptoms of gum disease on your own, so our dentist and team recommend visiting Made Ya Smile for a periodontal screening and evaluation. We routinely screen each of our patients when they visit us for dental cleanings and exams to watch for signs of this progressive oral infection. Early treatment of gum disease leads to better outcomes for your bone and gums. Common signs and symptoms that gum disease is present in your mouth are:

• Bleeding gums
• Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Areas of pus within the teeth and gums
• Gum recession
• Tooth sensitivity
• Loose or shifted teeth

Your specific condition will require a personalized treatment plan from our skilled periodontist for restoring health and wellness to your smile. We start by taking low-radiation digital x-rays to allow our team to evaluate the level of bone supporting your teeth. Signs of bone loss point to gum disease and are a key indicator for the presence of a periodontal infection. Bacteria hide in the spaces that sit between your teeth and gums (periodontal pockets), and we will measure the length of these during your periodontal evaluation. These pockets of damage-causing bacteria disrupt the support system holding your teeth in place.

If your x-rays show evidence of bone loss and your periodontal measurements are over 3mm deep, our periodontist may diagnose you with periodontal disease. Non-surgical treatment with scaling and root planing therapy, localized antibiotic delivery, or more complex surgical procedures are all potential treatment options depending on the stage of the disease. Some patients also experience gum recession as a side effect of gum disease. Gum grafting procedures may be recommended as a solution after your gum disease has been treated and stabilized. Our caring team will be by your side through the whole process and keep you informed as we work toward helping you establish better oral health.

There is no cure for gum disease, but with treatment good maintenance habits, it can be controlled to keep your teeth, gums, and smile healthy and happy. The key is to keep up with excellent brushing and flossing habits every day and maintain your recommended cleaning and exam schedule with our Spring, TX team at Made Ya Smile. After your gum disease treatment, your recovery will depend on the type of care you receive, such as whether you were treated using a surgical or non-surgical approach. Instructions for your recovery will be given to you following your gum disease treatment procedure.

Our periodontist may recommend a periodontal maintenance program after your treatment for gum disease that will enable us to help you manage your gum and bone health. With this plan, every 3 – 4 months you will come to our office for more in-depth cleanings and give us an opportunity to monitor your bone health and gum pockets. Routine cleanings every 6 months are not enough for those who have been diagnosed with and treated for gum disease. We will assist you in keeping the disease process controlled between visits by reviewing home maintenance techniques and the ideal ways to brush and floss your teeth.

We proudly accept most major dental insurance plans at Made Ya Smile Rayford, and will be happy to contact your provider to learn about your coverage before we begin treatment. Some plans may offer coverage for periodontal disease procedures in part; however, for out-of-pocket expenses or for those who do not have insurance, several payment options are available for your convenience. We want you to receive the care you need for your optimal oral and general health, and so we partner with CareCredit® to offer low-interest financing options to patients.

Gum disease can keep you from enjoying and healthy and confident smile, but it doesn't have to. Treating periodontal disease early can stop the disease from progression to more advanced stages and help preserve the gum and supporting bone structures. If you are experiencing symptoms like bleeding gums, bad breath, and gum recession, please call our office to schedule a consultation for gum disease. Our Spring, TX office and our talented periodontist are happy to help you take the first step in improving your gum health and regaining your healthy smile.