The Role of Periodontal Maintenance for Gum Disease Management

Keeping your teeth and oral environment healthy depends a lot on the health of your gums. Your gums act as a safeguard and barrier to your teeth, protecting them from damage and trauma. It is very important to keep your gums healthy and free of any bacteria. If there are bacteria present on your gums, you may experience bleeding, tender, or swollen gums. This may be a sign of periodontal, or gum disease. A dentist in Lafayette, CA can assess your teeth and gums to see if gum disease is present or there is high risk for it.

 

Stages of Gum Disease

There are 3 main stages of gum disease development. These include:

• Gingivitis:
  • Characterized by red, swollen, inflamed gums.
  • Gums will bleed when brushing or flossing
  • Chronic bad breath
• Periodontitis
  • Spaces or pockets form between the teeth and gums
  • Gum recession
  • Spaces or gaps between the teeth
• Advanced Periodontitis
  • Connective tissues destroyed
  • Shifting or loose teeth
  • Tooth and bone loss

 

Gum Disease Treatment

While there is no cure for gum disease, there are various treatment plans that a dentist in Lafayette, CA can suggest to prevent or treat gum disease. Specifically, Dr Andrew Ferrier and the talented team at East Bay Healthy Smiles in Lafayette, CA understand the prevalence of gum disease, and the importance of maintaining healthy, infection-free gums to ensure a beautiful smile for a lifetime. Dr Ferrier offers specialized options to prevent and treat gum disease, such as:

• Gum disease therapy
• Scaling and root planing
• Soft tissue recontouring
• Periodontal maintenance

Dr Ferrier and his amazing team also understand that because there is no cure for gum disease, it can return if teeth and gums are not properly cared for and maintained consistently. For this reason, Dr Ferrier and the team at East Bay Healthy Smiles in Lafayette, CA take extra precautions to ensure their patients maintain lasting results with their periodontal treatment to promote longevity in healthy smiles and gums. The team does this by recommending all patients who have experienced gum disease therapy to stay consistent with scheduling deep cleanings and regular check-ups, to maintain a healthy gum and teeth environment.

A beautiful smile begins with a healthy foundation of strong, infection-free gums. There are steps that you can take to prevent gum disease, including regular dental assessments of your gum health at dentist check-ups, however, if you are experiencing the key symptoms of gum disease, including tender, swollen, or bleeding gums, be sure to reach out to Dr. Andrew Ferrier, DDS and the talented team at our number, (925) 275-5688, in our office in Lafayette, CA to get started on a custom treatment plan that is made just for you!