Gum Disease
What is Gum Desease? Gum disease or periodontal disease, a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue. It is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four people at some point in their life. What causes gum disease? Bacterial plaque – a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth, is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. Specific periodontal diseases may be associated with specific bacterial types. If plaque isn’t removed each day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous...
Read MoreDeep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
What does periodontal treatment involve? In the early stages, most treatment involves scaling and root planing. This involves removing plaque and calculus around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. Antibiotics and antimicrobials may be used to supplement the effects of scaling and root planing. In most cases of early gum disease, called gingivitis, scaling and root planing and proper daily cleaning achieve a satisfactory result. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment to remove the hardened plaque build-up and recontouring the damaged bone. The procedure is also designed to...
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