According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the best way to decrease the prevalence of gum disease is better preventive measures. At Arkansas River Valley Dentistry, we couldn’t agree more. We encourage all of our patients to brush their teeth two times every day, floss daily, and visit us for oral examination and professional teeth cleaning every six months. We find that patients who are diligent in keeping this routine, rarely experience periodontal disease. For those who do experience gum disease, we provide expert treatment for the mildest forms and the most advanced in our Clarksville, AR dental practice.

Gingivitis Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The mildest form of periodontal disease, gingivitis, occurs when plaque buildup at the gum line irritates sensitive gum tissue. The result is sensitivity, minor bleeding, and inflammation of affected gum tissue. Gingivitis is easily treated with improve at home hygiene, and more frequent professional teeth cleanings with one of our skilled dental hygienists.

Periodontitis

Left untreated, gingivitis leads to more severe oral health concerns. The advanced form of gum disease, periodontitis, begins when soft tissue, irritated as a result of gingivitis, forms sores. These sores breakdown the tissue that supports teeth. Deep pockets form between teeth and gums, soft tissue begins to recede, teeth feel lose and move within the sockets, severe bad breath occurs, and increased bleeding may be prevalent when brushing, flossing, or eating.

Periodontal Treatment Program

The periodontal therapy we provide at our office is more of a program in which we keep you closely monitored with frequent visits so the disease can be controlled. The periodontal program is broken down into different appointments to more thoroughly treat localized areas. Once we determine you have periodontal disease, the next step is to determine the severity of the disease by measuring your gingival attachment loss, or the level at which your gums attached to your teeth.

Gingival attachment loss occurs in periodontal disease when the gums become very red and irritated, and then pull away from the teeth. The bone the follows this same pattern and you experience both gingival attachment loss and bone loss. When severity is determined, the next steps are to treat half your mouth at a time.

Once the entire mouth has been treated, we wait six weeks then reassess the disease and evaluate improvements. When the disease is controlled, you are then put on a three month recall so we can maintain your oral health. We believe a major factor in oral health is home care, which is why we give you an electric s=Sonicare toothbrush at the beginning of your treatment. Once the importance or oral hygiene is understood and set into motion with the proper instructions and tools, a good oral health outcome is achieved.

For patients with severe periodontitis, additional surgical procedures, laser therapies, or soft tissue grafts may be necessary to restore oral health. Contact your dentist at the first sign of gum disease to avoid severe oral health issues that may occur as a result.

Find out More from Arkansas River Valley Dentistry

If you suffer from periodontal disease or are concerned you may be experiencing the early warning signs, contact the Arkansas River Valley Dentistry team right away. The sooner we are able to treat periodontal disease, the more likely we will be to effectively eliminate the infection, and restore oral health.

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