Dentist Frisco, TX | Lone Star Dental Care
Gum disease is a condition that causes irritation and infection of the gums. It is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria. It causes gum disease when it builds up on the teeth.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is one of the most common dental problems in the United States. When left untreated, gums will recede and expose the root of the tooth. This can lead to tooth loss and jawbone deterioration. The good news is that the early stages of gum disease are reversible with good oral hygiene habits.
The symptoms of periodontal disease include:
The effects of gum disease may be reversed if caught early, so it is important to visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Otherwise, there may be a need for gum disease treatment, such as root scaling and planning or soft tissue graft.
Root scaling and planing is a deep cleaning procedure that can help treat gum disease by clearing away the plaque that has built up in the pockets between the teeth and gums. The dentist will remove the bacteria and debris from below the gum line and then smooth the tooth roots to prevent further buildup of bacteria in the future. Depending on the severity of the patient’s gum disease, they may need multiple treatments before the condition is fully treated. A soft tissue graft is a type of gum disease treatment that involves taking tissue from the roof of a patient’s mouth and grafting it onto the gums that are receding. The goal of the procedure is to prevent additional gum recession while also covering the exposed root surface with healthy gum tissue.