Periodontal (Gum) Treatment

Periodontal disease is a term referring to a collection of different infections and problems in all the tissues surrounding the teeth, including the gums and bone. Gum disease remains the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults. Most often the bone loss and gum recession is permanent. Periodontal disease is bacterial based problem that begins with the accumulation of "dental plaque" around and between the teeth. The resulting damage from this infection often causes pockets next to the teeth that accumulate even more plaque and infection, ultimately causing the tooth to become loose. There are various factors other than just the accumulation of bacteria around the teeth that can contribute to periodontal damage: Harmful habits, smoking and alcohol. History of periodontal problems in family. Systemic diseases such as diabetes. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy. Stress. Bruxism, excessive grinding of the teeth. Improper nutrition. Certain medications. Signs that you may have periodontal problems include: Bleeding gums, Receding gums. Swollen tender gums, Loose teeth. Bad breath or taste in mouth. Teeth shifting and becoming crooked. In the past, managing periodontal problems was akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Now we consider periodontal disease to be manageable, and much of the destruction can be treated. New treatments involving soft tissue and bone grafting are giving hope to teeth that would have been lost in the past. The single most important aspect of all periodontal care is professional continuing care involving patient specific cleaning and examinations. Every patient examined at Friendswood Dental Group receives a thorough periodontal screening.