Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal diseases are infections of the tissue supporting your teeth, including gingivitis and periodontitis. These are serious infections that, left untreated, are one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Periodontal disease may progress to advanced stages. But good daily oral hygiene, a balanced diet and a maintenance routine designed to your individual needs will go a long way in controlling periodontal problems.

If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, or have a systemic condition which requires periodontal therapy, we offer non-surgical treatments in the comfort of our office. Non-surgical treatments include scaling and root planing (a careful deep cleaning below the gum line), as well as therapy consisting of antibiotics and other medications to control the disease.

Working together we can help you achieve a lifetime of dental health by controlling one of the leading causes of tooth loss.

What causes periodontal disease?

There is a variety of factors which may make an individual more susceptible to periodontal disease, including:

• Tobacco use
• Some medications
• Ill-fitting oral appliances (e.g. bridges)
• Crooked teeth
• Loose or worn fillings
• Pregnancy

Periodontal disease may also be a manifestation of systemic diseases such as heart and lung disease, or diabetes. Research has shown that there is a link between controlling periodontal disease and managing these systemic diseases.

Some warning signs of periodontal disease include:

• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Persistent bad breath or taste
• Loose or separating permanent teeth

It is important to note that a patient may have periodontal disease without exhibiting any symptoms. Regular visits to your dentist is the best way of making sure periodontal disease is detected early and treated effectively.

For more information visit:

• American Academy of Periodontology: Gum Disease: What You Need to Know | Keep a Healthy Smily for Life |Pregnancy & Oral Health | Gum Disease & Diabetes | Gum Disease & Your Heart
• American Dental Association: Bleeding Gumms | Oral Health
• Wisconsin Dental Association: Periodontal Disease |
• Simple Steps: Scaling and Root Planing

For additional dental health resources visit our index of resources

Terms of Use | Sitemap | Webmaster

© 2008-15 Adriana Jaramillo DDS LLC. All rights reserved.