Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal therapy is a general term used for the treatments and techniques used to treat or prevent gum disease. The goal of periodontal therapy is to restore the gums to a healthy state and prevent any further gum damage.

When most people think about dental or oral health, their first instinct is to focus on taking care of their teeth. However, taking care of your gums is just as important. This is because your gums play a major role in protecting your teeth and jaw bone from infections from the bacteria and other microbes found in your mouth. Therefore, ensuring your gums are healthy also ensures your teeth are healthy and is an essential part of oral care.

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a condition in which the gums become red, swollen, and occasionally bleed. Periodontitis is usually caused by an infection in the gums. It can eventually worsen, leading to your gums receding, and eventually, your teeth may fall out.
Usually, gingivitis (the inflammation of the gums) occurs first. If ignored, the condition can progress to periodontitis.

Gum disease can have various causes, but most commonly, poor oral hygiene is the main culprit. Other causes include:

• Habits such as smoking
• Use of certain medications
• Illness
• Hormone changes
• Family history of dental disease

The good thing about gum disease is that with proper care, it is reversible. However, in most cases, a dentist will be required to assess your condition and advise on the best approaches towards giving you a healthy, confident smile. The first step will usually be a deep cleaning to help remove any plaque build-ups between the teeth and the gums. If there is severe gum decay, then surgery might be indicated to help remove the dead tissue and prevent further infection. The dentist will then administer any medicines you may require and continuously assess the state of your gums over a period of time. The goal of treatment is for the gums to reattach back to your teeth and for any swelling or redness to disappear. It may be a long journey, but it is necessary to secure your smile again.

If you live within the Richmond area in Texas, you can visit us at M Dental at Aliana. Our highly skilled dentist will be able to perform the required procedures and empower you with the information you need about your condition and the steps you can take to prevent the condition from occurring ever again. Our mission is to create healthy, confident smiles for all our patients. Our offices are located at 10505 W Grand Pkwy S #150, TX 77469. Feel free to book an appointment with us, and we will get you smiling your best again.