Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment Refreshes Your Smile

May 11, 2015

Keeping a healthy and good-looking smile for a lifetime takes more than brushing and flossing your teeth. Routine dental check-ups and cleanings are important as well. Without them, the very foundations of your teeth can suffer from a condition called periodontitis or advanced gum disease.

Before an individual loses teeth and experiences gum and jawbone recession, his or her Charlotte, North Carolina dentist can perform a periodontal gum treatment that effectively treats infected gums without surgery. Dentists and patients alike are encouraged by how well these interventions can restore dental health and impact overall health. Untreated gum disease can contribute to serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

The Symptoms of Periodontitis
Characterized by red, swollen and bleeding gums and often times bad breath, periodontitis is the accumulation of bacteria-laden plaque and hard tartar at the gum line. This build-up pushes gum tissue away from the teeth and their roots forming unhealthy pockets of varying depth. The American Academy of Periodontology says that healthy gums should fit securely around your tooth structure the same way a turtle neck sweater fits around your neck.
What Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment Involves
After a thorough oral examination and x-ray imaging, the dental hygienist will perform a simple but important procedure called scaling and root planning. Often done with the benefit of injected local anesthesia, scaling, and root planning scrapes plaque and tartar from the tooth and root surfaces.
The dental professional may do this with a hand implement, an ultrasonic cleaning tool or a combination of both. When extensive treatment is needed, the mouth may be divided into 4 sections or quadrants, with just 1 or 2 sections cleaned per session. After scaling, the dentist may apply antibiotics to heal the infection.
Care After Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
It’s vital that the patient maintain his or her newly treated teeth, roots and gums with:

• twice daily brushing with a quality fluoride toothpaste
• daily flossing to remove plaque from between teeth
• semi-annual oral examinations and cleanings (or as the dentist recommends)
• avoidance of unhealthy habits such as smoking
• eating a healthy diet

You Can Refresh and Revitalize Your Smile at Park Crossing Dentistry.
If you are concerned about the condition of your teeth and gums, don’t delay. Visit Park Crossing Dentistry for the gentlest and most skillful dental services available in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Richard Bateman DDS, Joshua Neubauer DDS and Shraddha Pendse DDS and their staff want your teeth and gums to be at their healthiest and brightest best. Contact Doctors Bateman, Neubauer and Pendse with your questions about non-surgical gum treatment. Call 704-541-5059.