Periodontal Disease Treatment in Pasadena, TX
Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) is caused by bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria cause an infection in the gum tissue that leads to redness, bleeding, swelling, tissue loss, bone loss and tooth loss. As the gum infection worsens more and more teeth become mobile as the underlying supporting tissue (the gum tissue and bone) is lost. Periodontal disease is not painful. That is why proper home dental care and visits to Dr. Nugent are vital to keeping your gum tissue free from Periodontal Disease.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a periodontal examination. This type of exam is the only way to check for gum disease. This simple examination should always be part of your regular dental check-up.
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the pocket between the tooth and the gums. The periodontal probe is basically a ruler and is used to measure the pocket. The depth of a healthy pocket will measure three millimeters or less. Furthermore, healthy gum tissue does not bleed. As gum disease progresses, the pockets will get deeper. Unfortunately, periodontal disease does not hurt and that is why your gum tissue must be examined.
Dr. Nugent or a hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding, inflammation, tooth mobility, to full analyze the health of your gum tissue. Once all the data is collected Dr. Nugent diagnosis you type of periodontal disease.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the initial stage of periodontal disease. Blankets of bacteria called Plaque have been left on the teeth and gum tissue. The bacteria and their toxic waste products aggravate the gums, making them red, puffy, tender, inflamed, and more likely to bleed.
Periodontal Disease
When plaque is left on the teeth it will harden into a substance called calculus (tartar). Calculus is a cement like substance that is strongly attached to your teeth. Nothing at home can be done to remove the calculus. The calculus and plaque continue to build up and irritate the gum tissue. Then the gum tissue and bone will start to recede in response to the toxic nature of the calculus. Unfortunately, this only causes the pocket between the teeth and gum tissue to get larger therefore allowing more bacteria under the gum tissue. Deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The gums become very inflamed, irritated, and bleed easily.
Advanced Periodontal Disease
The teeth continue to lose their foundation as the gum tissue and bone continue to be destroyed by the bacterial infection. The teeth will become mobile and will eventually fall out. There is moderate to severe gum and bone loss present.
How to Fight Periodontal Disease:
First course of action when Periodontal Disease is discovered it to start Scaling and Root Planing. This is often referred to as SRP or Deep Cleaning. It is an advanced bacteria infection and calculus fighting cleaning. The goal of the Deep Cleaning is to remove the bacteria and calculus so that the gum tissue is disease free. Once the toxic bacterial infection is removed the gum tissue will reattach to the teeth removing the deep pockets.
If you need periodontal disease treatment or suspect you may have gum disease, give Michael Nugent, DDS in Pasadena, TX a call at (713) 941-8261 or schedule an appointment online.
