If you have advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis), treatments are available to help you save your teeth. However, time is of the essence, as tooth loss is imminent when serious gum disease is allowed to progress. The first step in treating periodontal disease is a conservative, non-surgical approach called root scraping and smoothing (SRP). A dentist or dental hygienist provides this treatment by scraping and removing plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and roots with instruments designed for this purpose.
They then smooth out any roughness in the roots to prevent bacteria from building up again easily. Sometimes, this procedure may take more than one visit. The administration of a local anesthetic can help avoid any discomfort. After this process, the gums will heal and reattach to healthy, clean tooth surfaces.
In a few weeks, your dentist will evaluate your healing and decide if further treatment is needed. Periodontal disease can be treated, but technically it can't be “cured.” Even after a dentist helps you get rid of periodontal disease, there is a chance that it will come back if you don't practice good oral hygiene. With proper dental care, gingivitis is easily reversible. However, if left untreated, it can quickly progress to advanced periodontal disease, which causes gum shrinkage, bad breath, and even tooth loss.
Periodontal disease can be reversed when detected and treated early. It's one of the dental problems most people are likely to develop, and about half of adults in the U.S. U.S. citizens over 30 years of age have some kind of this type, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Periodontitis (or periodontal disease) is an advanced form of gingivitis that requires more rigorous treatment than gingivitis. In addition to implementing healthy lifestyle habits, such as reducing sugar consumption and activating a complete daily oral hygiene routine, the dentist will recommend closely monitoring your periodontal health with more frequent oral care appointments and checkups. If you're looking for a periodontal dentist in San Diego, visit San Diego Periodontics and Implantology. We offer surgical and non-surgical treatments for advanced periodontal disease and can recommend a periodontal maintenance plan that's right for you.
