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Dr. Garland K. Davis

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Periodontal Care at Garland K. Davis DDS Family Dentistry

We’ve found that most of our patients are very aware of the need to care for their teeth but not as many realize the benefits of caring for their gums. The right daily care and a regular schedule of periodontal care visits to the dentist go a very long way toward keeping your gums healthy and that preserves both your teeth and the all-important bone in your jaw. Let’s take a look at the close relationship between teeth, gums and bone.

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Ideal Health

When you brush your teeth properly and floss daily, you are cleaning away your daily accumulation of plaque – the sticky coating formed on your teeth by bacteria. If plaque is left on your teeth, it gradually hardens into tartar which must be removed by the dental hygienist on your next visit.

When your teeth are free of accumulations of tartar and are scrubbed clean of daily deposits of plaque, your gums stay healthy. They fit snugly around each tooth and do not form periodontal pockets where bacteria can collect.
When Problems Arise

When teeth are not brushed thoroughly each day, are not flossed daily and regular dental cleanings are not happening, plaque accumulates, hardens into tartar and irritates the gums. The gums respond to this irritation by becoming red, puffy and likely to bleed when you brush or floss. This condition is called gingivitis. It is not usually difficult to bring gingivitis under control by catching up on your visits to the dentist and cleaning your teeth properly each day. When you visit our office, we will be happy to help you learn the right kind of at-home care to protect your teeth and gums.
What Happens if Gingivitis is Not Treated?

If gingivitis is not corrected, it is likely to progress to periodontitis which means that infections exist below the gum line. Pockets of bacteria have begun to form and the bone around the teeth will begin to break down. This bone loss can cause teeth to loosen or even be lost. At this point, more intensive treatment is needed to reverse the infection and restore gums to a more optimum condition.
Treatment for Periodontitis

We have effective treatments for periodontitis to bring your gums back into a healthy condition. Our deep cleaning procedure is called scaling and root planing. We first remove plaque and tartar deposits below the gum line, which enables gums to heal and shrinks periodontal pockets. Root planing consists of smoothing any rough spots on the roots of your teeth that could give bacteria a place to collect. Together with good at home care, this treatment can resolve periodontitis and return gums to healthy condition.
Arestin® for Localized Infections

When there is a specific area of infection that needs immediate improvement, we offer our patients Arestin treatment. This is a locally-applied antibiotic treatment that targets infection and lasts for months. Along with excellent at-home care and the use of mouth rinses we can recommend, you can help your gums return to a healthy condition that supports the health of both your teeth and the bone in your jaw.

If you think your gums may need attention or if you are seeing any puffiness or blood when you brush your teeth, please call us immediately. The sooner we can correct any problems, the faster your full recovery will be. Remember that regular cleanings and examinations are key to preventing periodontal problems. If your dental care needs a bit of updating, let us help. Call our office to schedule an appointment today.

What happens if you don't treat gingivitis?

Periodontitis is a progressive disease: Ignoring gum inflammation is like ignoring an explosive. A mild inflammation of the gums can lead to periodontitis - a serious condition that damages the bones and tissues supporting your teeth. This can cause irreversible damage, and even lead to tooth loss.

Gum recession: Imagine that your gums begin to pull away, exposing your roots. Untreated gingivitis may cause gum recession. This can affect your smile's appearance and increase the risk of tooth decay.

Pocket Formation: As the gum disease progresses, pockets or spaces form between teeth and gums. These pockets are breeding grounds for bacteria, plaque, and other harmful substances. They can worsen the infection as well as cause more tissue and bone destruction.

Tooth Loss and Mobility: As the supporting structures for your teeth deteriorate (such as the gums and bone), your teeth may become loose, and eventually fall out.

Systemic health complications: Chronic gum disease doesn't only affect your mouth. This condition is linked to serious issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Gum disease bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation, increasing your risk of other systemic diseases.

Bone loss: Severe periodontitis can cause significant bone loss, which compromises the stability and integrity of your dental arch. It can affect the fit and function of dental prosthetics, and cause further complications.

Aesthetic changes: Severe gum disease can cause tooth loss and alignment problems, as well as gum recession. This can affect your social interactions and self-confidence.

Chronic bad breath: Bad breath that persists, or halitosis is a common sign of advanced gum disease. This is caused by bacteria and plaque. It can be embarrassing.

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Treatment for Periodontitis

Professional Dental Cleansing (Scaling and Root Planing): Let’s begin with a thorough clean! Tartar and plaque will be removed from the surfaces of your teeth by a dental hygienist or periodontist. This deep cleaning removes bacteria and promotes healthy gums.

Antibiotics: We may prescribe antibiotics along with scaling and root planning to control bacterial infections and reduce gum inflammation. These can be applied topically or taken orally depending on the condition.

Pocket Reduction: This surgery is for advanced periodontitis and deep pockets. It removes bacteria from the tooth roots and changes the shape of the gum tissue to reduce pocket depth.

Gum Grafting: This procedure restores the gum tissue that has been lost due to periodontal diseases by grafting tissues from another area of your mouth into the affected areas. It improves both aesthetics and gum health.

Bone grafting: When there is significant bone loss, a bone graft replaces the lost tissue. This helps to stabilize teeth and improve their prognosis.

Guided Regeneration of Tissue (GTR): The GTR promotes the growth of new bone and gum tissue in areas affected by periodontal disease. A barrier membrane protects and facilitates regeneration in the healing area.

Laser Therapy: This minimally invasive treatment option uses laser energy to remove bacteria and infected tissue, reducing inflammation, and improving the effectiveness of periodontal therapy.

Oral hygiene and ongoing maintenance: After treatment, maintaining good dental hygiene and having regular dental checkups are crucial to preventing a recurrence. We will provide you with personalized instructions for home care and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your dental health.

You can avoid a lot of complications by treating gingivitis as soon as possible. Do not wait to contact us if you are concerned about the health of your gums. We are here to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.

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