If you keep up regular dental health maintenance activities like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once daily, and using mouthwash intermittently, you likely won’t have to deal with any major issues regarding your teeth. However, some dental issues can occur despite regular maintenance based on other health factors, and one of the most common conditions to develop is periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease, also commonly referred to as gingivitis, is an infection that occurs in the structure surrounding the teeth. This includes the gums, the alveolar bone, and the periodontal ligament. The condition is mostly limited to the gums in its early stages but can spread to other nearby areas if left untreated.
How is periodontal disease treated?
Depending on the severity of the case, periodontal disease can be treated in several ways, which includes both surgical and non-surgical options. These treatments are often referred to as periodontal therapies and can help to return your gums to full health over time.
Many less severe cases can have success with non-surgical approaches such as bite adjustment, night guards, a deep cleaning of the gums, and localized antibiotic treatment. Some of the surgical options for more severe cases include dental implants, surgical reduction of the space between teeth and gums, and crown lengthening.
What are the benefits?
Periodontal therapies are extremely common and can have a host of benefits besides the improvement of your periodontal disease symptoms. Plus, most periodontal therapies have very little to no risk involved and can be performed with little downtime.
Periodontal therapy can result in teeth whitening, removal of tartar, and improvement of bad breath, which is a common symptom of gingivitis. Additionally, other health problems can be spotted in the periodontal therapy process, which could allow potential issues to be spotted early.
Didn’t answer your questions? Need more information? Give our experts at Dalton Dental a call at (813) 872-8300 and we will be happy to help! You can also Schedule an appointment online.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Hilary Dalton, DMD, MS
Dr. Hilary Dalton owns Dalton Dental, a general and cosmetic dental practice in Tampa, FL. She is board-certified in Periodontology & Dental Implant Surgery and in Procedural Medicine in Aesthetics.
She also holds certifications in microsurgery, laser proficiency, Invisalign, master esthetic facial injector, PRP, and facial laser.
She graduated from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in Boston with an award for Outstanding Leadership and Extraordinary Clinical Achievement.
To learn more about Dr. Hilary Dalton, visit our About page.