Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, a gum infection, is more common than you think. If you notice gum inflammation, pain when biting down, or receding gums, Lea Planzos, DMD, MS, Penny Planzos, DMD, MS, and Thomas Planzos, DMD, at Impressive Dental Care provide personalized care for periodontal disease. To schedule an evaluation, call Impressive Dental in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, or book an appointment online today.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease (another name for gum disease) is a long-term infection of the gums. It comes in two stages, with gingivitis being the milder one. Gingivitis is gum inflammation, which most people get at some point.

For many people, periodontitis comes after gingivitis. It’s the more severe of the gum diseases and is characterized by gum pocketing, which means the gums separate from the roots of your teeth.

Gingivitis and periodontitis result from bacterial plaque and tartar buildup on the surfaces of your teeth. This often comes from poor brushing and flossing habits and missed cleaning appointments with your dentist. As bacteria builds up under your gumline, the gums become irritated and inflamed.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

There are plenty of symptoms to be aware of when checking your mouth for signs of periodontal disease. The early gingivitis stage has the mildest symptoms — mild gum redness and slight bleeding when brushing or flossing.

Periodontitis symptoms are more severe and gradually get worse. Some common symptoms include:

• Gum tenderness
• Relentless bad breath
• Painful chewing
• Loose adult teeth
• Receding gums
• Changes in your bite
• Gum pocketing
• Eventual loss of teeth

When it’s time for your diagnostic visit to Impressive Dental Care, your dentist examines your gums for inflammation. They probe any pockets in your gums and take an X-ray to look for bone loss. As the infection spreads, it can extend beyond the confines of your mouth, damaging your jawbone and even causing heart valve infections. 

How is periodontal disease treated?

How your periodontal disease is treated will depend on the extent of damage done by the inflammation. Your Impressive Dental Care dentist offers you choices to control the infection and teaches you healthy brushing and flossing habits.

Periodontal disease treatments at Impressive Dental Care include:

• Scaling and root planing
• Antibiotics
• Laser gum therapy
• Gum surgery
• Soft-tissue grafts
• Bone grafts for jawbone loss
• Dental implants for missing teeth

For some, scaling and root planing are enough to encourage the reattachment of their gums to the roots of their teeth, and no further treatment is needed. Your dentist creates an individualized periodontal disease care plan after a detailed evaluation.

To schedule an appointment for periodontal disease evaluation and treatment, call Impressive Dental Care today or book online.