(386) 734-8585Gum Disease Treatment – Deland, FL
Protect Your Oral and Overall Health
Did you know that periodontal disease is one of the most common dental problems in the entire world? It’s true! The Centers for Disease Control estimate that nearly 50% of all U.S. adults currently have some form of the infection right now. Of course, just because something is common doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to devastating consequences. On this page, we discuss what gum disease is, why periodontal therapy in DeLand, FL, is so important, and how our team can help you protect your oral and overall health.
Why Choose Christopher J. Cowell for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Dentist with Decades of Experience
- Friendly & Empathetic Team
- Conservative, Effective Treatment
What Is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, which is also commonly known as gum disease, is an infection that causes inflammation of the gum tissue. When plaque and bacteria sneak into the tiny spaces between the gums and the teeth, it irritates the gum tissue and leads to a range of symptoms.
In most cases, missteps in oral hygiene are the main culprit behind periodontal disease. However, many other factors can contribute to this condition. Genetics, smoking, a poor diet, and diabetes can all play a role in causing or worsening periodontal disease.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
There are two stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis: This is the earliest form of gum disease. Symptoms are usually mild and include red, tender, and swollen gums. At this point, no permanent damage to the gums or bones has occurred.
Periodontitis: Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Symptoms include persistent bad breath, gum recession, and loose teeth. In some cases, periodontitis can cause the teeth to fall out altogether.
Untreated gum disease can do much more than just damage your smile. It has also been shown to drastically increase a person’s chances of developing a number of systemic health problems, such as heart disease and dementia. Such issues may occur when the bacteria that cause gum disease sneak into the bloodstream and travel to other bodily systems.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
Dr. Cowell and our team will screen your gums every time you come to see us. We will check for recession and any other signs of infection. If we spot a problem, we might be able to help you regain your gum health via a few adjustments to your oral hygiene routine. It is also possible that we will recommend that you undergo scaling and root planing.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a two-part process that is basically a deep cleaning of the mouth. It may take two or more appointments. For scaling, a member of our team will use an ultrasonic cleaner to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have accumulated below and above your gumline. Then, we will use root planing to gently smooth out the rough surfaces of your teeth’s roots. This will prevent plaque from gathering on them in the future, thereby lowering your chances of redeveloping gum disease.