Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)
Gum Disease and Smoking are the leading causes of tooth loss. Gum disease is a powerful disease processes that literally destroys the gum tissue and supporting bone around teeth. The major problem with periodontal disease is that it does not hurt. Patients come into my Pasadena Texas Dental Office with advanced gum disease. Patients are shocked when I tell them that they don’t need a normal routine dental cleaning. They need a procedure called Scaling and Root Planing. This procedure removes the Calculus (tartar) that is cemented to the teeth. The gum tissue is cleaned and irrigated with anti-bacterial solutions. The patient has to come in for several appointments while the hygienist fights the bacterial infection.
Ways to Prevent Gum Disease:
- Brush your teeth three times a day
- Use an electric toothbrush
- Floss Daily
- Use Listerine
- Don’t Smoke
- Visit Dr. Nugent’s office routinely for checkups and dental cleanings
About Dr. Nugent:
His office is located at Vista and Burke in Pasadena, Texas. He is a General Dentist that has a strong focus on Family, Cosmetic, Implant and Sedation Dentistry. The office has been in the same location for over 35 years. Dr. Nugent’s philosophy is simple “He wants to create a dental office where he wants to go. He invests in the latest technology and takes hundreds of continuing education classes in order to be a leader in dental care.” We invite you to see why generations of families have trusted our dental office.
See how a true family dentist can make going to the dentist like seeing old friends.
IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF GUM DISEASE
Periodontal disease, often known as gum disease, affects a large number of people without their knowledge. Gums that are red, swollen, and bleeding are the early symptoms of gum disease. You may also feel persistent foul breath, receding gums, dental sensitivity, pain while biting, and loose teeth as the infection deepens and spreads into your gums. Periodontal disease can cause bone loss and ultimately tooth loss if it is not treated. Gum disease can have a negative impact on your general health and increase your risk of respiratory problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious disorders.
You can manage and reverse the affects of periodontal disease with the aid of our Pasadena, Texas dental office. Treatment for gum disease may be pretty straightforward in the early stages. Treatments get increasingly complicated as they progress.
SCALING AND ROOT PLANING: WHAT IS IT?
Scaling and root planing are two operations that thoroughly clean your teeth below the gum line. They are typically necessary when tartar has calcified on the tooth, resulting in gum inflammation and receding gums. While root planing is used to smooth the tooth’s root and aid in the gums reattaching to the tooth, scaling is used to remove tartar (hardened deposits of plaque) from below the gumline.
When plaque accumulates and your gums become irritated, gum disease results. Your gums begin to pull away from your teeth and develop air pockets when they are irritated. These pockets can hold plaque, which everyday brushing and flossing cannot get rid of. When gum disease is found, scaling and root planing may not be the first necessary action. An expert cleaning can be sufficient. Scaling and root planing can assist in restoring the health of your teeth and gums if it isn’t already there.
THE PROCEDURE FOR SCALE AND ROOT PLANNING
Depending on how far the gum disease has progressed, the scaling and root planing procedure may take more than one visit to complete. We administer a local anesthetic prior to beginning treatment, which helps to eliminate discomfort and may also be helpful for anyone experiencing anxiety or nervousness about the procedure. In order to remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, we shall begin by scaling. Any pockets that may have developed between the teeth and gums are cleaned out as part of the scaling process.
After the teeth’s roots have been polished, the gums can reattach, removing any crevices that could harbor plaque. A checkup with your dentist helps to make sure that you are healing properly after the scaling and root planing procedure.