Periodontics: The Key to Healthy Gums and a Strong Foundation for Your Teeth

Periodontics, the branch of dentistry focused on gum health and supporting structures of the teeth, is essential for maintaining a strong and healthy smile. Through preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of gum issues, periodontic treatment helps protect against gum disease, tooth loss, and bone deterioration. In a general dentist’s office, periodontic treatments can make a significant difference in maintaining both gum health and overall oral health.

The Importance of Periodontics in Oral Health

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, can lead to tooth instability, loss, and other serious oral health complications. Gum disease begins with gingivitis, an inflammation caused by plaque buildup around the gum line. When left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease where the gums pull away from the teeth, creating pockets that trap bacteria and cause further infection. Periodontics helps patients maintain healthy gums and support healthy teeth by focusing on preventive care and early intervention. Regular cleanings, exams, and specialized periodontal treatments all help protect this essential foundation.

Periodontic treatments from a general dentist

A general dentist can detect the signs of gum disease and offer periodontic treatments to reverse or halt its progression.

Scaling and Root Planing: Deep Cleaning for Gum Health

Scaling and root planing is a common periodontal treatment provided by general dentists to manage and prevent gum disease. Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the teeth surfaces and just below the gum line, while root planing smooths the root surfaces. This deep-cleaning process helps reduce gum inflammation and shrink periodontal pockets, promoting the reattachment of the gum tissue to the teeth. This procedure can be useful in keeping gum disease at bay or reversing gingivitis so it does not progress to periodontitis.

Gum Contouring and Soft Tissue Grafting

A general dentist may offer gum contouring or soft tissue grafting for patients with a receding or uneven gum line. Gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes the gum line to create a balanced appearance or reduce excessive gum tissue, with aesthetic and oral health benefits. Additionally, a dentist can perform soft tissue or gum grafting to rebuild lost gum tissue due to recession. During this procedure, tissue is taken from another part of the mouth or a donor source and grafted onto the affected area. Soft tissue grafting restores the gum line and protects the tooth roots from exposure, reducing sensitivity and risk of further gum recession.

Maintenance and Prevention: Long-Term Periodontal Health

Periodontics emphasizes keeping gums healthy over the long term by focusing on early detection and ongoing maintenance. Dentists may recommend more frequent cleanings for patients at higher risk of gum disease, along with customized at-home care routines that include brushing, flossing, and possibly antimicrobial rinses. In general dentistry, periodontics helps patients control their gum health, preventing gum disease before it becomes severe. With consistent care, patients can enjoy strong, healthy gums that provide a firm foundation for their teeth.

Supporting a Lifetime of Smiles

Periodontics supports healthy gums and a lasting, stable smile. By incorporating preventive care and targeted periodontal treatments, a general dentist can help patients preserve their gum health and strengthen the foundation of their teeth. Call our team to learn more about preserving your gum health.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drbohan.com or call Heather Feray Bohan, DDS, PA at (281) 864-1581 for an appointment in our Tomball office.

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