Periodontics

Periodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on the wellbeing of the structures supporting your teeth; this includes your gums, alveolar bone, and ligaments that secure your teeth in their sockets.

One of the most prevalent concerns we encounter pertaining to periodontal health is the presence of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious condition that occurs in three separate stages, each becoming more severe as the disease progresses. As the leading cause of tooth loss, the condition tends to thrive because the symptoms are so subtle that it often goes unnoticed until it’s irreversible. 

To learn more about gum disease, we invite you to read below. Please call our office in Beaufort, NC, if you are concerned about having the condition or would like to learn more about prevention.

Gum Disease

As mentioned above, gum disease occurs in three separate stages, which become increasingly more problematic without proper treatment. These stages include gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.

  • Gingivitis is the most common form of the condition, but in most cases can be resolved by a standard professional cleaning. This phase is characterized by red, swollen gum tissue and bleeding when flossing. Gingivitis often occurs due to poor oral hygiene, smoking, hormonal changes, or some medications. You may also begin to notice the recession of gum tissue around your teeth.
  • Periodontitis is the stage where the condition becomes incurable. At this point, the disease has advanced beneath the gum tissue and has begun causing damage to the supporting bone and roots of your teeth. You may notice that gums have further receded, your teeth may be painfully sensitive, or some teeth could become loose.
  • Advanced periodontitis is the final stage of gum disease. As the condition has evolved to cause more damage, pus and blood may begin forming around the teeth. It will become increasingly painful to chew your food, brush your teeth, or open your mouth. Teeth will become more loose as the supporting bone continues to deteriorate; eventually, this will lead to tooth loss.

Scaling & Root Planing

While all of this may sound scary, we offer treatment that can help manage gum disease for anyone suffering from the minor or more severe stages of the condition. While our standard routine cleaning procedure can treat gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis require a more thorough service to prevent further damage.

Scaling and root planing is a procedure used to remove gum disease causing bacteria from both above and below the gum line. As the disease progresses, pockets form that separate the teeth from the gums. This allows plaque, tartar, and food debris to gather beneath the gum line, destroying the supporting bone while beyond the reach of your toothbrush.

  • Using our special tools, we scrape and polish every tooth while paying particular attention to the gum pockets.
  • Once we remove bacteria underneath the gum line, we smooth out the areas of damaged bone to ensure there are no gaps or spaces for bacteria to hide.
  • By scraping away the accumulation of plaque and tartar below the gum line, the gums are able to reattach to the teeth.

Working Together for a Healthier Smile

Allow our team to join you in the fight against gum disease. This ensures a healthier, brighter future for your smile.

At Beaufort Dental, you are our top priority, and we can guarantee that no one cares more about your smile than we do – aside from you, of course! Show your smile you care by scheduling an appointment with our team today. Healthy teeth and gums are within your reach when you have Beaufort Dental on your side; call today!

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