Periodontal Care for the Whole Family in Garden City
Teeth need special care, beyond your daily brushing and flossing. Periodontal care requires experience and skill to ensure you and your family maintain optimal oral health. At Garden City Dental Center, we recommend visiting our professionals at least once every six months to help keep cavities and gum infections at bay. We are proud to offer Family Dentistry to the Garden City Community.
We are conveniently located on Ford Road just west of Middle Belt next to the Golden Feather. Visit our modern practice today for expert periodontal care that will help your entire family maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. Call us today!
CALL US: (734) 422-2890 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
The Importance of Comprehensive Periodontal Treatment
When there’s a balance of bacteria in the mouth, the gums are safer from the effects of disease-causing tartar and plaque. An imbalance creates an abundance of bacteria that can cause periodontal disease. This condition leads to infection and inflammation that can destroy gum tissue. That’s where periodontal care can be used to prevent or treat a variety of conditions and restore dental health. Some of the treatments we use include:
Gum disease may be classified into three distinct stages, namely gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.
Gingivitis – This occurs when the gum tissue gets inflamed due to the build-up of tartar or plaque. This inflammation increases the risk of severe infection.
Periodontitis – In this stage, bacteria form pockets in between the root of the tooth and the gum. The gum then begins to pull away, and the teeth lose their support and gradually become loose. If the bacteria enter the gums, they may also cause an infection or an abscess.
Advanced periodontitis – At this third stage, the gum starts to move away from the tooth, leaving the roots exposed. The bone beneath the tooth also shrinks, and that increases the likelihood of tooth loss. At this point, the infection poses a threat to the rest of the body since the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause further complications.
The Oral-Systemic Connection
Following a gum infection, an immune response from your body is triggered. White blood cells (also called leukocytes) are summoned to the infection site and produce additional substances that not only destroy bacteria but also damage gum tissue. The effects may vary from slight redness to gum swelling to tooth loss.
Research has shown that over time, periodontal disease creates a higher risk for other illnesses. Conditions include diabetes, dementia, chronic respiratory disease, and even complications in pregnancy. Further research suggests that treating gum disease lowers the severity of some of these diseases.
How Periodontal Care Can Help
Your well-being is a priority at Garden City Dental Center. You can expect quality and personalized dental care for you and your family. Once you walk in, you'll experience a modern approach to dentistry focused on achieving optimal oral health. A list of the non-surgical services include:
A thorough dental exam lays the foundation for any approach towards successful dental treatment. A close look at the state of a patient’s teeth offers an indication of what the issue might be. A comprehensive exam is an full evaluation of your teeth and gums. Your exam is vital to chart a path towards better oral care and health.
This procedure is a non-surgical way of treating gum disease, otherwise known as periodontitis. It serves to remove any plaque on the teeth so that your gums may regain their health. In case you or your loved one suffers from severe periodontal disease, then gum surgery may be necessary. Scaling and root planing are essential before any procedure as a way of eliminating unwanted tartar from the teeth.
Following an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan for the condition is laid out. This approach may involve treatment plans such as a filling, root canal, extraction, or dental surgery in more severe cases. After the issue has been addressed, periodontal maintenance is offered to keep everything in check and ensure a healthy mouth.
In case you’re bringing your little one in for an appointment, you’ll receive close counseling aimed at assessing your child’s overall health, nutrition, and oral habits. In case your child experiences cavities regularly, for example, you might learn how a small change in their eating habits could lessen the chances of such an issue arising again. You’ll learn how simple home care routines can bolster your child’s oral health.
What Happens During a Periodontal Cleaning?
Periodontal cleaning goes beyond brushing and flossing. It involves specialized treatment to eliminate tartar build-up that could cause infection or even tooth loss. The first step is an examination of your mouth to get a general baseline. We will look around for any signs of gum inflammation, plaque build-up, or other health issues.
Next, we remove the plaque or tartar using specialized tools to clean the surface of your teeth. Plaque tends to accumulate near the gum line between teeth, and deep cleaning of these areas will encourage healthy tissue growth.
Our gentle hygienist cleans and polishes your teeth, then floss to reach nooks and crannies between your teeth. Rinsing will eliminate anything left behind, and the fluorinated liquid will provide additional protection.
Creating a Healthy Foundation for Oral Health at Home
Good oral health calls for good oral hygiene, and that begins with simple hygiene habits. You should brush at least twice a day, preferably in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to sleep. Brush slowly and gently, and don’t forget to clean your tongue using a tongue cleaner since the tongue harbors loads of bacteria.
When cleaning your teeth, remember to use proper equipment. A fluoride-based toothpaste and a well-fitting, soft toothbrush are both great at reducing plaque and lowering the chance of gingivitis. When brushing, tilt the toothbrush slightly to achieve an optimal angle for a thorough clean and brush for a full two-minutes, paying attention to the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Remember to rinse your toothbrush after washing and store it in an upright position so that it gets ample space to air-dry. Replace your toothbrush as soon as the bristles become irregular or flayed. After brushing, floss using about 18 inches of the dental floss and use a gentle, rubbing motion to reach the gum line between your teeth. Flossing is a great way to ensure that you get rid of the residual bacteria that are often hard to reach using a conventional toothbrush.
Oral health isn’t only about good hygiene practices; it also depends on your diet. Those tempting treats such as cookies, candy, cake, potato chips, or pretzels have a way of sticking and causing tooth decay. Fruits and vegetables with high water content, like melons, cucumbers, or celery, are an ideal option to promote oral healthier teeth. Include calcium-rich foods such as broccoli or yogurt to build up healthy teeth.
Repairing Your Smile after Gum Disease
Once gingivitis advances to periodontitis, it can cause inflammation or even tooth loss. Regular visits for additional professional cleanings will continue to remove plaque and tartar, allowing for better healing and tissue reattachment. Within a couple of weeks, your smile will look and feel amazing again.
Another great and easy way to protect your smile is the use of antimicrobial rinses. These rinses attack the infection-causing bacteria and eradicate plaque formation. Scaling and antimicrobial mouth wash are both great ways of dealing with milder cases of gingivitis. Periodontitis and advanced periodontitis may require a more stringent approach.
Improving Your Smile and Your Health
If you need treatment for gum disease, you are in the right place. Dr. Diaz and her professional staff have decades of experience in diagnosing and treating gum disease. We are passionate about helping you achieve optimal dental health in a pleasant and relaxed environment. Contact us today in Garden City to learn how we can help you get past gum disease to a healthy, beautiful smile.
CALL US: (734) 422-2890 REQUEST APPOINTMENT