Fortunately, most periodontal problems can be stopped before they get worse. Regular professional dental cleanings and a proper daily brushing and flossing routine help control plaque and prevent the early stages of gum disease.

Gingivitis, if not treated, advances to Periodontitis that destroys the tissue and bone around teeth, resulting in unstable and lost teeth. Early warning signs include bad breath and bleeding gums.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease pascagoula ms, which is an infection and inflammation that destroys the tissues that support your teeth. This includes the gums, periodontal ligaments, and bone. It starts when you have plaque, a sticky film of bacteria and food, on your teeth. This plaque irritates and inflames the gums, which may bleed when you brush or floss. You can reverse gingivitis in its early stages. If you ignore it, though, it can worsen and lead to tooth and bone loss.

Symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding or swollen gums, bad breath, and bright red or purplish gums. If you have these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. He or she will recommend a treatment plan that can restore your healthy smile and prevent further damage to your teeth and gums.

Regular dental cleanings (scaling and root planing) with a professional hygienist help to control the spread of bacteria that cause gum disease. Flossing and using antibacterial mouth rinse can also help. Practicing good health habits, like eating well and managing health conditions like diabetes, can also improve gum health. Getting annual dental X-rays helps your doctor see problems that can’t be seen with a visual exam, including the start of periodontitis.

Periodontitis

If gingivitis goes untreated, it can morph into periodontitis. During this stage, the bacteria move below the gum line and start to eat away at the bones and tissue that hold teeth in place. Gums may look puffy, red and swollen, and they may bleed easily, such as when brushing and flossing. You may also notice pus around your gumline or teeth that seem loose or fit together differently.

You can prevent periodontitis by practicing good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist for routine cleanings (prophylaxis). Your dentist will use a probe to measure the pockets around your teeth. A pocket of 3 millimeters or more is cause for concern. Your dentist will also take x-rays of your mouth to assess any bone loss.

Other risk factors for periodontitis include smoking and a family history of the condition. Autoimmune diseases like lupus and scleroderma, and hormonal changes during pregnancy and puberty also increase your chances of developing gum disease.

If you have periodontitis, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to fight infection and may perform a procedure called scaling and root planing. During this treatment, your dentist or hygienist will numb your mouth and remove the bacteria hiding under your gums. This may be followed by more intensive cleaning or surgery to restore healthy gums. Some people with advanced periodontitis may benefit from platelet-rich plasma therapy to help rebuild lost bone and tissue.

Dental Bone Grafting

If the bone loss has become so severe that it prevents dental implants from being placed, the oral surgeon will typically perform a dental bone graft. This involves adding bone to the area where it is missing, typically from another part of the patient’s body (autograft), a human tissue bank (allograft), or synthetic material (xenograft). The new bone integrates with the existing bone and promotes healing. The implant placement procedure can then be carried out. Modern anesthesia methods ensure a comfortable treatment experience.

The key to avoiding periodontal disease pascagoula ms is consistent dental visits and professional cleanings (prophylaxis). This is the best way to catch early signs of gum and bone damage, such as plaque aggravated gingivitis. If left unchecked, gum disease can progress to the more serious stages of periodontitis and result in loose teeth, a receding jawline, a bad taste in the mouth, and even tooth and bone loss.

A periodontist will examine the condition of your teeth and gums, taking digital X-rays to evaluate the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums, as well as other indicators of periodontal disease. Treatment options may vary depending on the severity of your condition, including scaling and root planing, antibiotics, and a specialized deep cleaning technique called root surface debridement. In more advanced cases, a dental bone graft and/or soft tissue regeneration may be recommended.

Gum Graft Surgery

A common symptom of periodontal disease pascagoula ms is receding gums. This can make your teeth look different and also cause tooth sensitivity and expose your roots to the elements. There are many ways to treat receding gums, including a gum graft. During the surgery, our dentist will take healthy tissue from the roof of your mouth and attach it to the area that has been damaged.

This helps to cover your exposed roots and reduce sensitivity and discomfort. There are several different types of gum grafting, and the type used depends on the amount of damage. For example, the connective tissue graft involves cutting a flap in the roof of the mouth and then pulling some healthy tissue out of the palate to stitch around an exposed root.

The other option is the acellular dermal matrix allograft, which uses medically processed donated tissue. This does not require the donor site from the palate, so it may be a better option for some patients.

It is important to follow your periodontist’s instructions regarding how to prepare for the procedure and what to do afterward. This includes avoiding smoking and eating soft foods. You should also arrange for a ride to and from the dental office because the combination of anesthesia and post-op pain medication can make it unsafe to drive.