2272 Barataria Blvd. Marrero, LA 70072

Periodontal TherapyMarrero, LA

Periodontics, better known as gum disease treatment, is one of the most important facets of dentistry. It’s an important facet of general dentistry. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, affecting 75% of the population. Daily brushing and flossing combined with regular visits to the dentist are the keys to healthy gums.

Prevention is the best way to combat gum disease. Brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day help keep your teeth and gums clean. Biannual dental health exams and professional teeth cleanings are also necessary for prevention and allow for early diagnosis of gum disease.

woman visiting the dentist periodontal screening new orleans la

Causes and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gum disease is commonly caused by poor oral hygiene. Without proper dental care, your teeth and gums are susceptible to creating harmful bacteria that can cause damage to the structure of the bite and smile. Poor oral hygiene is just one cause of gum disease. Other causes may include:

  • Smoking or tobacco use
  • Family history
  • Hormonal changes such as pregnancy
  • Stress
  • Medications
  • Teeth grinding or clenching
  • Poor nutrition (malnourishment or obesity)
  • Diseases such as diabetes

Gum is a silent disease because many patients don’t realize they have it until the later stages of the condition. If you notice any changes in your oral health, contact your Barataria dentist as soon as possible. Some of the common warning signs and symptoms include:

  • Red, swollen, or sore gums
  • Bleeding when brushing, flossing, or eating
  • Receding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Sores or pus between gums and teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Changes in the bite, including changes in the fit of dentures

The primary concern for gum disease is tooth loss. There are, however, other concerns, as gum disease can contribute to serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy-related problems such as low birth weight.

The Stages of Gum Disease

There are four different stages of gum disease, each with increasing severity.

Gingivitis

This is the first stage of gum disease, and the only one that’s reversible. Plaque and tartar build up on your teeth close to the gumline, irritating the tissue there. The gums become inflamed and swollen. A large percentage of Americans have gingivitis and may not even realize it. The early warning signs aren’t usually painful. The most common one is bleeding gums. If you notice your gums bleeding regularly when you’re brushing and flossing, contact your dentist.

To treat gingivitis, we increase the diligence of your oral healthcare. We provide deep cleanings at our office, and you may need to come in more frequently than the usual bi-annual appointments. We’ll discuss the best products and routines for you to address your oral healthcare at home, too. We may prescribe an antimicrobial oral rinse to manage bacteria in the mouth.

Mild Periodontal Disease

Once the disease progresses to this stage, it’s no longer reversible. However, we can work with you to manage the condition. In this stage, the infection spreads to bone tissue and begins to destroy it. We use methods called scaling and root planing to manage at this stage. We clean out debris that collects in pockets between the gum tissue and bone. Then, we smooth down the tooth roots so that the gum tissue can reattach to the bone.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

The bacteria continue to progress and evolve at this stage. Not only are they attacking your bone, but they’re in the bloodstream as well. This can carry infection and inflammation throughout other parts of your body, causing issues there. Like mild periodontal disease, we manage this with scaling and root planing.

Severe Periodontal Disease

At this stage, the bacteria have completely evolved into their most aggressive form. Your gums ooze pus and blood, and you have extremely bad breath. It can be painful to chew and bite your food. Because the bacteria attack the bone, the tooth’s support system, your teeth loosen and can even fall out.

Only periodontal surgery or laser gum treatment can manage the condition at this stage. If it gets to this severity, we’ll refer you to a trusted area periodontist to ensure that you’re getting the care you need.

Gum Disease Treatment

Through routine dental health exams and good at-home oral hygiene, prevention is the best way to fight against the development of gum disease. Once harmful bacteria are present, periodontal therapy is the best way to restore the health of the gums and prevent future damage to the teeth or gums. Our regular patients receive an annual periodontal screening, where our dentists check for early signs of gum disease.

We aim to treat each patient with the most conservative approach by identifying problems in their earliest stages to treat future damage or decay. We offer intensive gum cleaning called scaling and root planing to help patients manage gum disease.

For patients who have extensive damage caused by gum disease, Doctors Burmaster and Hemphill may work with a periodontist for surgical procedures.

Periodontal Therapy FAQs

Periodontal therapy is the best way to manage gum disease. Learn more about the process by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Is periodontal treatment painful?

There’s some discomfort with treatment, but it isn’t as painful as people may fear. One of the main reasons people avoid the dentist is because they’re scared of pain. We take every step to ensure your comfort, including using local anesthetic in the area where we’ll be working.

Will my gums go back to normal after periodontal treatment?

It depends on the stage of gum disease you’re dealing with. If you’ve had any tissue loss due to gum disease, this tissue can’t grow back. But many patients will experience their gums reattaching to the bone and returning to be close to normal. Once the tissue is healthy and there aren’t pockets of bacteria, the gums can function again.

How long does it take for the gums to heal after periodontal therapy?

You should expect the tissue to heal in about five to seven days. Because the tooth roots were exposed, you will have some sensitivity in both the gums and teeth. Your gums may bleed and swell. Take over-the-counter pain medication and use cold compresses to help control the pain.

Is periodontal therapy necessary?

Yes, you never want to let your gum disease go untreated. Unmanaged gum disease can lead to extreme pain, tooth and bone loss, and severe health impacts on the rest of your body. It’s best to treat it as early as possible before its impacts cause irreversible damage to your oral health.

Can I eat after periodontal therapy?

Wait to eat until the numbness in your mouth has worn off. Start with soft foods, and avoid anything acidic or sharp. Your mouth will be sensitive for the first few days after the procedure. Stick to foods that aren’t causing you excess pain or irritation.

Do I need periodontal therapy?

Regular dental care is especially important when it comes to gum disease. It’s hard to spot in the early stages, but dentists are trained to check. They’re able to notice signs that you probably aren’t aware of. The earlier it’s spotted, the easier it is to treat. Your dentist thoroughly examines your mouth. If there are signs of gum disease, we’ll recommend treatment routes.

Schedule an Appointment

Contact Barataria Dental today to schedule your appointment with one of our highly trained dentists.