Periodontics

Diagnosis

Your dentist is always on the lookout for signs of gum disease. You can help by reporting symptoms such as:

• Bleeding Gums
• Swollen Gums
• Loose Teeth
• Tender Gums
• Red Gums
• Bad Breath
• Pain When Chewing

At West Metro Dental, our dentist will check the firmness of your gums and evaluate the depth of the pockets between the gums and each tooth. We check to see if your gums are even, pink, and healthy-looking. We also examine your jawbone to ensure there is no breakdown of the bone that supports your teeth. At the end of the examination, our dentist reports the findings. If there are signs of gum disease, we create a treatment plan designed especially for you.

Cleanings

Routine cleanings help protect your gums from gingivitis and periodontal disease. When our hygienist removes the plaque and washes away the germs from your teeth, they are doing more than cleaning your teeth. They are also keeping your gums healthy.

If you do have periodontal disease, we can do a more extensive, deep cleaning, often referred to as scaling and planning. The dental hygienist uses special tools to scrape away built-up tartar on the tooth root surfaces, paying special attention to the area around the gumline.

Preventing Gum Disease

Your dentist can help you develop better oral hygiene habits to prevent or even help reverse gum disease. While coming in for twice-yearly visits is crucial, you also need to take care of your teeth at home. Proper brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining healthy gums. Brushing your teeth removes much of the plaque from your teeth. Flossing removes food particles that can stick to teeth and gums and cause the beginnings of periodontal disease. Your dentist can also recommend or prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse to help reduce plaque-causing germs.