How to Diagnose Periodontal Disease?

When you notice gum bleeding after brushing, it could be because of using a hard-bristled toothbrush and brushing aggressively. But, it could also be caused by gum disease, especially if it is accompanied by swelling and pain.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection or inflammation of the gum tissues and surrounding tissues that gradually deteriorate periodontium, the tissues that hold the teeth in place. It is caused by bacteria, usually in the form of plaque, that forms on surfaces in contact with food and drink.

The disease progresses in stages, and you rarely get symptoms in the early stages. That is why the disease can progress into the advanced stages without noticing. Gingivitis or gum inflammation is the first step of periodontal disease, and it usually has minimal or no symptoms. The good news is gingivitis is reversible if our dentist in Dallas, TX, detects it early and begins treatment on time.

As the bacterial infection progresses, it can spread to the soft tissue and affect the supporting bone. Advanced gum disease can lead to other complications like loss of teeth and jawbone.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

Periodontitis can cause a few signs and symptoms. Get periodontal treatment near you immediately if you notice:

• Bleeding gums.
• Gum that is swollen or tender.
• Gum is red and appears to be pulling away from the teeth.
• Tooth Loss.
• Tooth pain

How is Gum Disease Diagnosed?

Periodontitis is diagnosed based on medical history, dental history, and radiographic evidence such as x-rays. Your dentist will be able to assess the severity of your gum disease by how deep the pockets are and by whether you have bone loss.

A dental history will help your dentist determine whether you suffer from chronic gum disease. This includes how often you brush your teeth and how you clean them. Your dentist will inquire about your diet and whether you have a history of periodontal disease in your family, and if you have undergone gum surgery in the past.

The dentist will also measure the gum pockets to determine the severity of the gum disease. He will measure the depth of pockets underneath the gum line. A deep pocket larger than 4 mm indicates an unhealthy gum line.

Using the diagnosis information, the dentist will determine the stage and grade of the periodontal disease and the complexity of the treatment you need.

What Is the Treatment of Gum Disease?

The periodontal treatment in Dallas, TX, depends on the severity of the disease and the number of teeth affected. Your dentist will recommend various treatment options, depending on the severity of the disease and the number of teeth affected.

• • Scaling and root planing

In the mildest form of periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing. The dentist will remove the tartar and plaque buildup on the teeth and the surrounding tissues. He will also remove the damaged cementum and bone that are infected or inflamed.

These procedures are performed in the office, and it takes 30 minutes or less. But your dentist can offer this procedure in the comfort of your home too.

• • Flap surgery

Flap surgery is used to prevent further disease progression and preserve the bone and tissue affected by periodontal disease.

This procedure is performed on the gum line and requires stitches. The dentist cuts a small flap from the gum line and lifts it to expose the damaged tissues.

Periodontal surgery can weaken the underlying bone, and the dentist will have to recontour it before sutured back together. This makes it easier to clean these areas and maintain healthy gum tissue.

• • Soft tissue grafting

This procedure is used to regenerate the gum tissue that has been lost to periodontal disease. The surgeon will take a piece of gum tissue from your healthy gum and place it under the gum line where it needs to be.

The periodontist will have to suture the tissue to the gum line to strengthen it.

• • Bone grafting

Bone grafting is used to enhance the bone affected by gum infection. Your dentist will place bone granules into the affected area to ensure that the bone is strong enough to hold the teeth in place.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit All Care Dental for more information about gum disease, how it is diagnosed and what you can expect during the procedure.