8221 Glades Road, Suite 4, Boca Raton, FL 33434
Protecting Your Smile From Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, can lead to far more than an unsightly smile. Left untreated, it can cause tooth loss and eventually contribute to other, more serious health problems. The good news is that gum disease is both preventable and treatable, especially when caught early. At Glades Dental Group in Boca Raton, we provide effective periodontal care to help you protect your teeth, your gums, and your overall health.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, we will recommend that you come in for a deep cleaning. While it may sound like just a more intense teeth cleaning, a deep cleaning is actually the gold standard of treatment for patients diagnosed with gum disease. This procedure is also sometimes referred to as scaling and root planing, or periodontal therapy. With the right care, we can help you stop gum disease in its tracks and restore your smile to a healthy, comfortable state.
Schedule a Periodontal Evaluation
What Is Gum Disease?
Called gingivitis in its early stages, periodontal disease is caused by excessive toxic bacteria, found in plaque, that attack the soft tissues of your mouth. Early warning signs include red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If caught early, we can often help you reverse the damage before it progresses. If it is detected later, we can use one of many effective restorative dentistry procedures to restore your mouth to a healthy and beautiful state.
As periodontal disease advances, swollen and unhealthy gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where infection-causing plaque and tartar accumulate. This is why professional treatment is so important. With regular examinations and cleanings, along with specialized interventions when needed, we can help you keep your teeth and gums strong and disease-free for years to come.
Why Treating Gum Disease Matters
Addressing gum disease promptly protects far more than your smile. Here is why periodontal care is so important for patients at our Boca Raton practice:
Prevents Tooth Loss
Treating gum disease helps you keep your natural teeth.
Protects Overall Health
Untreated gum disease has been linked to broader health concerns.
Stops Progression
Deep cleanings can slow or halt the advance of the disease.
Reduces Future Surgery
Early treatment can reduce the need for surgical intervention later.
Restores Healthy Gums
Treatment often helps swollen, bleeding gums become healthy and pink again.
Supports Lasting Results
Ongoing periodontal maintenance keeps your smile strong over time.
How a Deep Cleaning Treats Gum Disease
A deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is the gold standard treatment for gum disease. During the procedure, the dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and tooth roots. The tooth root surfaces are then smoothed, which makes it harder for bacteria to stick in the future and easier for your gums to reattach to the teeth.
Evaluation
We assess the health of your gums and measure the pockets around your teeth.
01
Removing Buildup
The dentist or hygienist carefully removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth and below the gumline.
02
Root Planing
The surfaces of the tooth roots are smoothed to discourage future bacterial buildup and help the gums reattach
03
Ongoing Maintenance
We may recommend periodontal maintenance checkups as part of your routine visits to keep the disease under control.
04
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Recognizing the warning signs of gum disease early can make a significant difference in treatment. You should contact our Boca Raton team if you notice:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that are pulling away or receding from the teeth
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Discomfort or sensitivity around the gumline
Because early gum disease can be painless, regular dental checkups are one of the best ways to catch it before it progresses. If you notice any of these symptoms, we encourage you to reach out promptly.
Additional Periodontal Treatments
Managing periodontal disease often involves a variety of treatments in addition to deep cleanings. Periodontal therapy focuses on enhancing the gum tissue that holds your teeth in place, and diseased tissue is replaced with healthy tissue whenever possible. If gum disease has caused severe gum recession, gum grafting may be necessary to move gum tissue back into place so that exposed tooth roots are once again protected.
We may also treat the bacterial infection in your tissues directly by applying topical antibacterial or antibiotic solutions, either on their own or in combination with the treatments already mentioned. Patients with very advanced or complicated periodontal disease may need to see a specialist for further care. Our team will evaluate your condition and recommend the most effective combination of treatments for your needs.
Treat Gum Disease in Boca Raton Today
Gum disease is far easier to manage when it is caught and treated early. If you have noticed signs of gum disease or have been told you need periodontal care, the team at Glades Dental Group is here to help you protect your smile and your health. Call us today at 561-883-2786 or request an appointment online to schedule your evaluation.
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