Periodontal Treatment Tampa, FL

Periodontal (gum) disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States.

In the early stages (gingivitis), this disease is easily reversible with good oral hygiene habits at home and regular professional dental cleanings.

However, gum disease that has progressed beyond gingivitis is no longer reversible. Thankfully, we can arrest periodontal disease with specialized care. Not only will investing in periodontal treatment in Tampa restore your oral health, but it can also help improve your overall health.

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What Is Gum Disease?

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Gum disease is an infection in your gums that’s caused by the bacteria in plaque and tartar. Plaque builds up on your teeth and along the gum line throughout the day, particularly after you eat. The bacteria in the plaque feed off the carbohydrates in the foods you eat and release acids that cause dental decay and irritate the gums, causing gum disease.

If the plaque is not removed (by brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleaning appointments), it will calcify into a substance called tartar or calculus. Tartar traps the bacteria near the gums, irritating them even more.

Eventually, the gums will become so irritated that they will start to recede away from the teeth, resulting in:

  • Longer-looking teeth
  • Root surface exposure
  • Deeper gum pockets (that are harder to clean)
  • Tooth sensitivity

Left untreated, gum disease will progress, and not only will the gum tissue recede, but so will the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth. When this happens, the teeth become loose, and you’re at risk of losing those teeth.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

If you notice any of the following symptoms, please contact your Tampa dentist right away. These are signs you could have periodontal disease and need treatment to prevent progression.

  • Red or purple gum tissue
  • Sore, tender gums
  • Gum swelling
  • Pus
  • White bump/abscess
  • Receding gums
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Shifting teeth
  • Loose teeth
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Treating and Preventing Periodontal Disease: Why Gum Health Matters

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Healthy gums are vital not only for an attractive smile but also for your overall health. Over the past few decades, researchers have found that gum disease is linked to more severe diseases, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Difficulty controlling blood sugar in diabetics
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Respiratory ailments
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Thankfully, by investing in periodontal therapy in Tampa, you can improve your oral health, restore your smile, and prevent dangerous diseases.

Periodontal Therapy in Tampa

If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, your Tampa dentist will recommend one or more of the following therapies depending on your unique needs.

Professional Teeth Cleaning

This is a preventative step we take to reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease in the first place. We recommend getting professional cleanings twice a year to remove plaque and tartar deposits above and below the gum line.

If you have gingivitis, regular professional cleanings can help reverse your gum disease, leaving you with a beautiful, healthy smile.

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Scaling and Root Planing

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This deep cleaning is the first step in arresting periodontal disease. Using hand scalers and ultrasonic instruments, your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the base of your deeper-than-average gum pockets. They’ll also smooth the root surfaces to promote gum adhesion and reduce the risk of further plaque and tartar build-up so far below the gum line.

Gum Grafting

As gum disease progresses, your gums will recede, exposing the roots of your teeth. At first, this may not seem like a big deal, but as the recession progresses, more root structure will be exposed. This can result in extreme tooth sensitivity, a higher frequency of dental decay, and tooth mobility.

A gum graft involves taking healthy tissue from one area of the mouth (often the roof of the mouth) and placing it over the areas with recession. Lab-processed synthetic tissue is also an option.

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Periodontal Laser Treatment

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Lasers can remove diseased gum tissue with minimal discomfort and less gum shrinkage.

Crown Lengthening Surgery

This surgical procedure reshapes your gums to expose more of the tooth’s surface for a restoration to adequately cover the damaged tooth and prevent further damage.

Your Tampa Dentist Takes a Proactive Approach to Dental Care

At Dr. Nick’s White & Healthy Dentistry, we don’t just want to restore your teeth and gums after dental diseases have damaged them. Our dental team wants to help prevent these diseases in the first place. And if we’re unable to, we will do our best to prevent them from progressing further to the point of tooth loss.

We can boost your oral health with regular preventative cleanings, or maintenance cleanings, if you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease. In the process, we can also help improve your overall health, even reducing your risk of severe health conditions.

Learn how healthy gums can contribute to better overall health. Contact us to schedule a professional cleaning and gum evaluation from your Tampa dentist.

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