More Than Brushing Your Teeth
Among the various threats that your smile could face, periodontal disease is one of the most common. Also known as gum disease, it affects millions of individuals every year and is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults in the United States. In many cases, patients don’t always seek treatment in time to manage the disease before it causes extensive damage to their gums and jawbone. Because of its potential impact on your long-term oral health, your periodontal health is a key point of your regular preventive dental routine that you do not want to miss. When necessary, Dr. Foust can perform deep periodontal cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. This process clears away deposits of gum bacteria and plaque that are present beneath the gumline in order to help you maintain excellent periodontal health. Because periodontal cleaning and maintenance are more complex than regular dental cleanings, your treatment can require multiple visits to complete. We’ll work closely with you to develop a detailed schedule of care that is tailored specifically to your oral and periodontal health needs.
Treating Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease
You may have heard about gum complications such as gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontal disease, but what does it all mean? In essence, all of these conditions represent gum infection or disease at different levels or stages of severity. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, and in some cases, it can be reversed with prompt treatment. Whereas gingivitis refers specifically to gum inflammation, periodontal disease or gum disease is characterized by infection and inflammation of both the gum tissues and bone that supports and surrounds your teeth. The more advanced stages of the disease cannot be reversed, but they can be controlled with regular maintenance and a strict schedule of preventive dental care. Protecting against complications often requires more frequent maintenance appointments than the typical semiannual exam schedule. If you exhibit signs of gingivitis or more advanced gum disease, such as bleeding and inflamed gums, don’t put off making an appointment.
Take Control of Your Periodontal Health
Whether preventing, reversing, or treating periodontal concerns, the key to prioritizing your oral health is to remove the harmful bacteria that gather on and underneath your gums. If you are exhibiting early signs of gum disease, then scaling and root planing could be the solution to help you protect your smile. For more information about your options, schedule an appointment by calling Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230. We also welcome patients who live in Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding areas.
