Treating Periodontal Disease
Are Periodontal bacteria destroying your gums?
Consider your gums as a living foundation for your teeth. So important is this foundation, that without healthy gum structure, your teeth will become unstable and at risk of tooth loss.
The Diagnosis of Gum Disease
Your dentist has discovered that you suffer from a chronic bacterial infection also known as periodontal disease (gum disease).
The Cause of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal disease is formed when harmful bacteria are lodged beneath the gum line, creating pockets or gaps between your gums and teeth. These pockets become infected and over time can destroy bone, teeth, and gum foundation.
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, there is hope. There are treatments that can help reduce further damage to your gums and teeth. Your dentist or periodontist can provide several treatments to reduce infection-causing bacteria and halt further spreading, and diminish the size of periodontal pockets that encourage growth of bacteria.
Treating Gum Disease
The approved method for treating periodontal disease is a procedure known as SRP. SRP is a non-surgical procedure where scaling removes plaque, tartar from the teeth. Root planning then smoothes away the rough areas at the root of the tooth–eliminating bacteria build up. Your dentist may also use approved oral solutions to stop harmful enzymes that cause teeth and gum decay.