Better health through healthy gums: The power of proactive treatment
At Abingdon Smiles, preventing and resolving gum disease (early) is as much about protecting your teeth and oral health as it is about safeguarding the “rest of you.” Even distant organs and bodily systems can be affected by the condition and function of the teeth and gums. Partnering with a quality and trusted dental home is essential for achieving better health through oral care.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease affects the periodontal tissues that surround and support the teeth. We help patients from across the Abingdon, Virginia, area avoid the need for treatment. When the gums are kept healthy and functional, damage does not arise that threatens the health of the teeth and supportive jawbone. By preventing damage, treatment is rendered unnecessary. However, when we do find evidence of gum disease, our team has the tools and capabilities onsite to stop further damage and potentially regenerate lost tissues.
How do you prevent damage caused by gum disease?
It’s a shared responsibility between you, our dentists, and care staff. A good starting point is, of course, to be consistent about brushing and flossing. Consistent home care is not a substitute for our professional services, though. During routine visits to our office, one of our dentists will examine your teeth and gums. Our hygienists will also use their considerable knowledge and special dental instruments to minimize the risks of disease onset or progression: harmful bacteria and the build-up of bacterial plaque (tartar). We also know that there is no other patient quite like you. So, specific recommendations will be tailored to your needs and unique risk factors.
What happens if you find something wrong with my gums?
We want to catch signs of disease early. The earlier stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. The condition is marked by swollen and inflamed gum tissue. At this stage, the effects of the disease can still be reversed. By identifying and addressing the disease early on, we can halt its progression before irreversible damage occurs. This approach typically allows us to restore your gums to health without resorting to costly, invasive, or aggressive treatments. However, we do have the capabilities to treat gum disease at various stages, including after it has progressed to its advanced form or periodontitis. At this stage, the hard and soft supportive tissues are being eroded. Treatment very much depends on your diagnosis and the nature and extent of the disease or damage that your gums may have sustained.
How do you treat earlier-stage disease?
We may recommend new oral care products and advise on brushing and flossing techniques. Additionally, a “deep cleaning” process known as scaling and root planning may be incorporated into your treatment plan. This process involves scaling or removing disease-causing substances from underneath the gum line, as well as planning, which is simply a reference to smoothing the root surfaces of the teeth. At Abingdon Smiles, we can perform this common procedure gently yet precisely with our ultrasonic scaler technology. We are also proud providers of the Perio Protectยฎ system. With this system, it’s never been easier to apply bacteria-fighting medicine deep into the areas of the mouth that need this therapy the most, courtesy of special trays that are designed to fit your mouth.
What if my teeth can’t be saved due to gum disease?
If your gums do not heal properly or the breakdown of bone and attachments to the teeth are just too much, we are happy to discuss options to replace your teeth. In fact, prompt replacement is essential to avoid the many complications of tooth loss. There are just so many far-reaching effects of oral disease. Consider how the inflammation and bacteria in the mouth do not stay put. They can travel to other parts of the body. For this reason, conditions like periodontitis are considered to be risk factors for heart disease, stroke, heart attack, poor diabetes control, respiratory disease, childbirth complications, and more.
With proactive and skilled care, our Abingdon, VA team will keep you smiling by supporting your overall health and well-being. Call (276) 628-7862 to schedule your visit today.
