Periodontics in Griffith, IN

Periodontal disease, often known as gum disease, is an infection that damages the soft tissue in your mouth. The gums work with the jaw bone and periodontal ligament to hold the teeth in place, which is why untreated gum disease can result in tooth or bone loss, but it is treatable. A proactive approach in identifying the earliest stages of periodontal gum disease is the most effective solution for protecting the overall structure of your mouth. This dental issue is common, but it is preventable with good dental hygiene.

Gum disease is influenced by plaque (poor brushing and flossing habits), along with factors such as tobacco use, uncontrolled diabetes, and genetic factors. Most patients don’t notice any issues in the earliest stages of periodontal disease. But serious problems can develop without much pain, eventually leading to irreversible bone loss and damage.

Healthy gums have a pale pink color, and they are firm with a snug fit around the teeth. If you notice changes in your gums, then it could be a sign of gum disease. Common symptoms include gum swelling, red or purple colors, gums that bleed easily, pain or tenderness to the touch, bad breath, or spitting blood when flossing or brushing the teeth.

Our team at Christopher Gall DDS is proactive in identifying potential periodontal disease by checking the health of your gums at every appointment using a small probe to measure pocket depths. Periodontal gum disease diagnosis falls in several categories: gingivitis (the first stage), periodontitis (deeper pockets of infection are forming), advanced periodontitis (teeth start to loosen and moderate to severe bone loss).

The recommended periodontal gum disease treatment depends on the severity of your gum infection. We provide a thorough diagnosis, then discuss a personalized treatment plan to determine the appropriate solution for healing your gums. When the gum infection is caught in the earliest stages, then one or two regular cleanings or a periodontal cleaning might be sufficient to eliminate the problem. You also must be diligent about regular cleaning and care at home.

If the gum infection has progressed to the advanced stages, then a scaling and root planing treatment might be recommended. Periodontal scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment that removes the plaque below the gum line and smooths the rough spots on the root surfaces. A thorough dental deep cleaning helps the infection pockets to shrink and the gum tissue to heal. Sometimes, oral medications, special mouth rinses, or an electric toothbrush might be recommended to control healing and infection. Several teeth deep cleanings may also be needed to remove all pockets of infection. In severe situations, a periodontal specialist may be consulted for surgical therapy.

The most important thing you can do is to maintain consistency with your regular cleaning habits at home. Once your periodontal treatments are finished, you need to be proactive about brushing and flossing. Additionally, regular maintenance teeth cleanings are often recommended quarterly to check the progression of the pockets and remove plaque.

The hard to reach areas below the gumline require professional teeth cleaning services, which is why it is a good idea to stay consistent with your recommended dental cleaning schedule. Our team at Christopher Gall DDS partners with each patient to provide the best approach for maintaining the health of your gums.