Winning the War on Periodontal Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
Preventing Periodontal Disease: Pasadena, Deer Park Texas
After several treatment sessions your periodontal (gum) disease should be under control. We halt the progression of the disease. However, to keep the bacterial infection from re-occurring you will have to remain vigilant.
Bacterial infection begins and thrives on a thin film of bacteria and food particles on tooth surfaces called plaque. The infection starts as gingivitis, which causes the gums to become red, inflamed and swollen. Left untreated gingivitis develops into periodontal disease. This is an advanced disease that spreads deeper into the gum tissues resulting in gum tissue and bone loss.
Periodontal disease: what is it?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissue and underlying bone. Periodontal disease is indicated by abnormal bleeding, edema, or changes in the color of the gums and teeth. Ignoring these symptoms can eventually result in expensive and invasive surgeries. Neglect, smoking and diabetes are the three largest risk factors.
To treat this bacterial infection, your hygienist must remove all the plaque and calculus (tartar) that is above and below the gum line with a procedure called Scaling and Root Planing. It is ideal to stop the disease in its earliest stages when plaque can be removed with hand instruments or ultrasonic equipment. When the
Scaling and Root Planing can successfully stop and even reverse gum disease’s effects — but it will not alter your susceptibility for the disease. Constant attentiveness to your oral health is the best way to significantly reduce your risk of another infection. Thus, the prevention of the initial stages of gum disease from forming is the overall goal.
Using a high quality electric toothbrush three times a day and daily flossing are habits your need for form. You, the patient, see yourself every single day. Effective home care is vital to preventing dental problems. Whereas, your dental office only sees you usually twice a year. These dental visits with your Hygienists are Periodontal Maintenance visits. These appointments are more advanced then the traditional “healthy teeth cleaning appointments.” More work is done verifying that that your periodontal disease is not trying to resurface.
If you need to get your dental health back in order, call our office at 713-941-8261.
Or simply come visit us at 3421 Burke Rd STE A, Pasadena, Texas.