Periodontal Disease in Houston, TX

Periodontal (gum) disease is a common oral problem that affects the smiles and general well-being of millions of Americans. Affecting the gum tissues and bone that teeth rely on for support, periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth and leads to symptoms, like gum inflammation, bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. Gum disease can result in bone loss in the jaw over time and is the leading reason adults lose their natural teeth. The condition has also been linked to a number of concerning general health problems. To help stop this disease process, minimize its impact, and restore health to your smile, effective treatment from a qualified team is necessary.

In general, gum disease is grouped into three different stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria causes the gum tissues to become inflamed, red, and bleed. Treating gum disease in the gingivitis stage reverses the effects as no bone tissue has been destroyed at this point. Periodontitis occurs when bacterial toxins begin to break down the underlying bone and gum recession may occur. Advanced periodontitis may result when bone tissue is damaged to the point of tooth mobility and even tooth loss in some cases.

Treating periodontal disease as early as possible offers the best chance at arresting the disease process and keeping the condition from impacting your oral and general health. At Made Ya Smile Dental, our skilled periodontist offers nonsurgical and surgical procedures for treating all stages of gum disease and protecting your smile from further damage. Bleeding when you brush, floss, or eat and symptoms, like chronic bad breath and gum recession, are never normal and may indicate an infection in your mouth. Contact our team for a periodontal consultation right away if any signs or symptoms of gum disease are affecting your oral health.

Since many of the symptoms of gum disease may be difficult to detect on your own, our periodontist and general dentists recommend visiting Made Ya Smile Dental for a periodontal screening and evaluation. At each dental cleaning and exam visit, we also routinely screen our patients for signs of this progressive oral infection. The earlier we can treat your gum disease, the better we can preserve the bone and gums that support your teeth. Common signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of gum disease in your mouth are:

• Gums that bleed

• Puffy, red, or tender gums

• Bad breath or a bad taste

• Pus between the teeth and gums

• A receding gumline or tooth sensitivity

• Teeth that feel loose or shift

Our team will evaluate your specific condition to create the ideal treatment plan for restoring health and wellness to your smile. We begin a periodontal evaluation by taking low-radiation digital x-rays. This allows our team to evaluate the level of bone supporting your teeth. Since gum disease causes bone loss, this is a key indicator as to whether or not the disease is present. We will also measure the spaces that sit between your teeth and gums (periodontal pockets). Bacteria hide in these areas and cause damage to the support system holding your teeth in place.

Periodontal disease may be diagnosed when your x-rays show evidence of bone loss and your periodontal measurements are over 3mm in depth. Depending on the extent of your condition, our periodontist may recommend nonsurgical treatment with scaling and root planing therapy, localized antibiotic delivery, or more complex surgical procedures. Gum recession is also a side effect of gum disease. To restore a receding gumline, we may recommend gum grafting procedures after your gum disease has been treated and stabilized. Rest assured, our caring team will be with you every step of the way and will keep you informed of your progress as we assist you in establishing better oral health.

Gum disease cannot be cured, but it can be controlled and maintained to keep your teeth, gums, and smile healthy and happy. The key to effectively managing gum disease once you have been treated for it is to maintain excellent brushing and flossing habits on a daily basis and keeping up with the recommended cleaning and exam schedule with our team at Made Ya Smile Dental. Your individual recovery process following gum disease treatment will depend on the type of care you receive and whether we take a surgical or nonsurgical approach. Our team will review any necessary instructions with you following your gum disease treatment procedure.

Once your treatment for gum disease is complete, our periodontist may recommend a periodontal maintenance program that will enable our team to help you effectively manage your gum and bone health. Periodontal maintenance visits are scheduled every 3 – 4 months and include more in-depth cleanings and monitoring of your bone health and gum pockets. Once gum disease has been identified and then treated with periodontal procedures, routine cleanings every six months are simply not enough to manage the bacteria and your oral health. To help you keep the disease process controlled between visits with our team, we will review helpful brushing, flossing, and home maintenance techniques.

Made Ya Smile Dental accepts most major PPO dental insurance plans and will contact your provider to learn about your coverage before we begin any treatment. Periodontal disease procedures may be covered in part by some plans; however, if you incur out-of-pocket expenses or do not have insurance, we offer several convenient payment options. Our team wants you to get the care you need for a healthy smile and better general health and partners with CareCredit® to offer low-interest financing options to patients.

Do not let gum disease keep you from enjoying a healthy and confident smile. Treating periodontal disease as soon as possible can stop the disease from progression and preserve the gum and bone that support your teeth. Symptoms, like bleeding gums, bad breath, and gum recession, may indicate gum disease and should be assessed as soon as possible. To take the first step in improving your gum health, contact Made Ya Smile Dental and schedule a visit with our talented periodontist.