Periodontal Care

Dr. Wayde Fawcett—our experienced dentist—offers a broad range of periodontal treatments using advanced technology and effective techniques. If left untreated, periodontal (gum) disease can seriously damage the gums and teeth and, in extreme cases, result in tooth loss.

Plaque build-up along and below the gumline harbors dangerous bacteria that causes gum disease. As plaque accumulates over time, deep pockets can form between the gum tissue and the teeth. These pockets allow bacteria to proliferate, which can irritate the gums, spread infection, and threaten dental health. In addition, severe gum disease has been linked to heightened risks of life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and many others. Ideally, a combination of effective daily dental hygiene and regular cleanings should keep plaque at bay; however, it is common for adults to require additional treatment to eliminate plaque, remove calculus (hardened plaque), and prevent the development or progression of gum disease.

• Gum Disease Symptoms
• Gum Disease Stages
• Gum Disease Causes
• Gum Disease Diagnosis
• Periodontal Disease Treatment

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gum disease can be indicated by the following symptoms:

• Red, inflamed, or sensitive gums
• Bleeding gums (may be most evident during brushing and flossing)
• Enlarged gum pockets between the gum tissue and teeth
• Chronic bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• Gum recession
• Shifting teeth and changes in bite
• Loose permanent teeth
• Permanent tooth loss
• Pus discharge along the gumline and/or between teeth
• Change in the fit of partial dentures

“Dr. Fawcett and his entire staff are all professional, on top of their game, and very people oriented. Thank you, Fawcett Center for Dentistry for the many years you have helped me stay on top of my dental hygiene”

Stages of Gum Disease

Dentists generally recognize three stages of periodontal disease:

• Stage One: Gingivitis. Gingivitis refers to the red, inflamed gums we mentioned earlier. If you notice bleeding, a red ring around your gums, or burning pain when you brush, gingivitis may be the culprit. Gingivitis should be treated before the periodontal disease advances to the next stage, which is irreversible.
• Stage Two: Periodontitis. At this stage, the bacteria caused by gingivitis begins to seep into the soft tissue and bone around the gums. In other words, there’s a divide (or pocket) between the teeth and gums caused by bacteria that, while treatable, cannot be completely cured.
• Stage Three: Advanced periodontitis. Your gums have sustained permanent damage, and your teeth are officially infected with the same bacteria. As a result, if treatment isn’t performed imminently, gums may recede noticeably, teeth may loosen and detach from their sockets, and you run the risk of developing a plethora of correlated health problems.

Causes of Gum Disease

There are many factors and conditions that can contribute to the development of gum disease, including:

• Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
• Poor dental hygiene
• Lack of dental care
• Use of tobacco products
• Hormonal changes (pregnancy or puberty)
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Stress
• Certain medications and medical treatments
• Illness
• Diabetes

Diagnosing Gum Disease

Fortunately, gum disease is usually easy to diagnose. This is one of the many reasons it’s essential to attend regular dental exams; if you’re experiencing signs of gingivitis, an experienced dentist can stop it in its tracks.

Make sure to mention any pain or abnormal bleeding to your dentist. They will take this into consideration when examining your gums for inflammation. Your dentist will also make sure there’s no divide between your tooth and gums, as a pocket indicates the development of periodontitis.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Effective prevention and treatment of periodontal disease starts with regular dental exams and cleanings. Professional dental cleanings are the only way to remove hardened plaque (called calculus) from the teeth. During exams, Dr. Fawcett will perform a thorough evaluation of the teeth and gums to detect any signs of decay or disease. If he sees any of the signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease, it is best to follow through with preventative care and/or treatments immediately to arrest progression of the condition. Depending upon the type and extent of gum disease you are exhibiting, Dr. Fawcett may perform non-surgical treatments at his office or possibly refer you to a trusted periodontist for advanced treatments.

Scaling and Root Planing

One common non-surgical treatment that Dr. Fawcett may suggest is called scaling and root planing. During this procedure, plaque and calculus buildup is removed from below the gumline in the pockets surrounding the teeth. Laser dentistry may be used to cleanse the periodontal pockets. The tooth root is then planed to help the gum tissue reattach to the tooth, reducing the depth of the pocket. In some cases, antibiotics are applied to deep pockets to control bacteria and facilitate healing.

PerioProtect^®

Biofilms formed by clusters of bacteria in the gumline can be particularly persistent, even after undergoing treatments to remove them. In order to prevent the re-formation of biofilm after scaling and root planing, Dr. Fawcett may recommend PerioProtect^®. Customized PerioProtect^® trays apply several prescription strength solutions to the gums to manage biofilm. The trays only need to be worn for a few minutes each day to be effective.


Contact the Fawcett Center for Dentistry, P.A.

For more information about gum disease and periodontal treatments we encourage you to contact our practice to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fawcett. If you have lost teeth due to gum disease, you may want to discuss restoring your smile with dental implants.