Periodontal Treatment in Grand Rapids

Periodontal disease is also often called gum disease. Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria get under the gumline and cause a whole host of problems over time as the condition progresses.

The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Many people are somewhat familiar with this stage. It is the only stage of the disease that is fully reversible. After it progresses, the best we can do is mitigate the damage done and help to prevent further damage down the road.

How Does Gum Disease Happen?

If bacteria are allowed to linger in a patient's mouth over time, bacterial and biofilm can build up into tartar. Tartar clings to teeth and cannot be removed with a toothbrush or floss. Only a dental hygienist can effectively remove this cement-like substance.

The tartar build-up can get severe enough to interfere with gum health. Tartar builds up on the tooth and pushes the gums away, allowing bacteria to travel farther down the tooth under the gumline, creating periodontal pocketing. Left unattended, periodontal disease will progress and eventually reach the root of the tooth and can infect the jawbone. 

The progressing periodontal disease poses a significant risk to the health of the patient's jawbone, gums, and teeth. Getting treatment for periodontal disease is essential to protect your overall health.

Taking good care of your teeth and following your dentist's care recommendations are great ways to help prevent periodontal disease. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once can help remove bacterial waste build-up before it hardens and gets stuck. 

Staying on top of your twice-a-year cleanings and checkups is an excellent way to get the tartar that does build up on teeth between appointments removed. These visits also allow your dentist to keep an eye on your oral health, catching problems before they arise or early in their development, drastically reducing their harmful effects. 

If an issue arises, like the early stages of gingivitis, your dentist can catch it early and help the patient remedy the problem before it gets worse.

Treatment for Gum Disease

Once gum disease evolves from gingivitis, it is not curable, and all we can do is mitigate the damage and prevent it from getting worse. Patients with gum disease will have to take special care to prevent the problem from worsening. Treatment includes a deep dental cleaning to remove tartar and bacteria, allowing the gums to heal. You may also need more frequent dental cleanings to keep your gum health on track.

If you think you have gum disease, you can contact us to schedule a time to meet with Dr. Robson for an examination. We always welcome new patients of all ages. If you need treatment for periodontal disease, don't wait. We are a no judgment dental office. Our team looks forward to helping you achieve optimal oral health and wellness.