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Periodontal Care

Periodontal Care

Understanding Periodontal Care: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Gum Disease

Periodontal care is essential for maintaining the health of your gums, which support your teeth and affect your overall oral health. Here’s what you should know about maintaining healthy gums and preventing gum disease:

  • Preventive Care:Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are crucial to removing plaque and tartar that can lead to gum disease. At home, brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using antimicrobial mouthwash are key practices to keep your gums healthy.
  • Gum Disease Diagnosis: During periodontal exams, your dentist will check the health of your gums by measuring the depth of gum pockets and checking for gum recession and attachment levels. X-rays may be taken to assess the bone around your teeth.
  • Non-Surgical Treatments: If gum disease is caught early, treatments like scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) can remove plaque and tartar from under the gumline and help gums reattach to the teeth.
  • Surgical Treatments: For more advanced gum disease, surgical options such as flap surgery (to reduce pocket size), gum grafts (to cover exposed roots), or bone grafts (to replace lost bone) might be necessary.
  • Maintenance Therapy: After treatment, regular periodontal cleanings every three to four months are important to keep gum disease from returning. These cleanings help manage plaque and tartar buildup and keep an eye on your gum health.
  • Lifestyle Modifications: Smoking, poor nutrition, and stress can worsen gum health. Part of periodontal care involves helping patients make lifestyle changes to support their overall health and well-being.

Periodontal care is more than just treating gum disease; it’s about preventing problems before they start and ensuring your gums stay healthy for a lifetime.