How Your Dentist Can Treat Your Periodontal Disease

Dentist checking the patient's teeth
When you suffer from periodontal disease serving Westlake, you may also be linking yourself with issues like diabetes and heart disease. This type of dental health condition is by no means a death sentence for your health; your dentist or periodontist can help you treat this reversible condition and restore your oral and overall wellbeing. Depending on your needs and circumstances, your dental health professional might use surgery or scaling and root planing to treat your symptoms. Talk to your dentist about what you can do to take better care of your gums and keep reading for a closer look at how to fix the problem.

Surgery

If you suffer from severe periodontal disease, your dentist might recommend surgical treatments like flap surgery or bone and tissue grafts. The former seeks to remove deep pockets of tartar from under the gums so that the gum tissue fits properly around the teeth. Bone and tissue grafts help you regain bone mass that has been lost due to your dental health condition. Your dentist might recommend both of these procedures in order to deal with your periodontal disease.

Scaling and Root Planing

Deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is a popular combination of treatments that helps patients deal with the effects of periodontal disease. When plaque builds up over time and hardens into tartar, you will need the help of a dentist or other oral health professional to have it removed. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning process that seeks to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth as well as underneath the gums. This helps to reverse the process of gum disease and alleviate some of the symptoms.

Dental Hygiene Advice

Periodontal disease typically develops as a result of poor dental hygiene. By teaching you how to brush your teeth, when to floss, and how often to visit the dental office, your oral health professional can better prepare you to deal with the symptoms of the disease. Make sure you see your dentist regularly and put the advice that he or she gives you to use.