Our mouths and teeth are excellent at letting us know that there is a problem through tenderness and pain. If we pay attention to these feelings, we will know precisely when our mouth needs some extra care. Pain, tenderness, swelling, and even bleeding in the gum tissues that lasts for multiple days is a good indicator that your gum tissues might be suffering from a stage of periodontal disease, and you may need periodontal therapy in Jackson Hole.
Periodontal disease is a gum disease that is an infection of the gums caused by the bacteria in plaque. When plaque isn’t removed from the tooth’s surface twice a day through brushing and flossing, it starts to build up and eat away at the gum tissue. Periodontal disease is often diagnosed in stages that will let the dental professionals know what type of therapy or treatment to do. At Dental Care of Jackson Hole, we want our patients to be aware of periodontal disease and understand the types of treatment available to them here in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Gingivitis Therapy
We use the term gingivitis to label the earliest stage of periodontal disease that one can experience. This tells us that periodontal disease has a chance of being treated to complete the total reversal of the disease. In our office, only Dr. Paula Schmidt or one of our hygienists can diagnose a patient with any stage of periodontal disease.
Once we have diagnosed periodontal disease, it is essential to receive treatment immediately to prevent it from spreading and causing possible permanent damage to your mouth. The early stage, gingivitis, is treated by simply receiving two professional cleanings a year.
Gingivitis can be cured or removed by eliminating plaque around the gumline and taking care of your teeth at home. If symptoms worsen, please give our office a call for further assistance.
Periodontal Therapy in Jackson Hole
Not seeking immediate attention once experiencing gingivitis, patients will need further and possibly extensive treatment. Later stages of periodontal disease, in some cases, cannot fully be reversed, and the patient will need to seek constant treatment. Many dental problems can arise once the disease has worsened or spread. Patients are at higher risk for tooth loss, gum recession, and jaw bone deterioration.
Although there are many risks associated with later periodontal disease, at Dental Care of Jackson Hole, we offer great therapy to help fight it and restore your mouth if damaged. Treatments for later-stage disease include:
Scaling and Root Planing: This therapy type removes plaque along the gumline and down on the tooth’s root. The dentist and hygienist use a sharp, hooked instrument called a scaler to remove the plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth. Through this process, the teeth and the roots become smooth once again, which will help promote socket shrinkage and gum to tooth reattachment.
If sockets around the tooth cease to heal and shrink around the tooth, we might recommend surgery.
Further Therapy: When it comes to periodontal disease, there is a high risk for gum, tooth, and bone loss. Because of this, in some cases, Dr. Schmidt will refer you to a gum and bone specialist to help restore tissues. Gum and bone grafts replace old, dead tissue with healthy tissue. If, by chance, you have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, there are also tooth restoration options available to you.
Give us a Call
If you have noticed possible signs of periodontal disease, please call our office, Dental Care of Jackson Hole, today.