Periodontal Disease in Kingwood, TX

Have you ever wondered if you have periodontal disease? You may know it by "gum disease" as do millions of others with the condition. When your gums are diseased, it does not just impact the gums. Your teeth and bones take the most damage, but the infection can spread to other areas of your body as well. There are three stages of gum disease that have progressive symptoms: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.

• Gingivitis
  This is the earliest form of gum disease that starts with bacteria inflaming the gums. As the bacteria go deeper within the pockets of your gums, an infection can occur. You may see signs of gingivitis when you brush or floss your teeth and see blood on your toothbrush or in the sink. Usually, gingivitis is the easiest gum disease to treat and requires less invasive interventions.
• Periodontitis
  If the bacteria is left untreated, it becomes a toxic environment for the bones in your jaw and at the gumline. You may see slightly shifting teeth, receding gumlines, and bone atrophy in your face. You may have chronic bad breath or an awful taste in your mouth regularly.
• Advanced Periodontitis 
  Tooth loss, shifting teeth, and major bone atrophy that leads to surgery are all results of untreated and severe periodontitis.

If you are attending your annual dental exams and routine cleanings, then you should have an idea where your gum health stands. If not, our recommendation is to see us in Kingwood, TX at Made Ya Smile Dental soon to be proactive and take charge of this disease.

If you have gum disease, you will need treatment because the bone loss in the jaw is the leading reason adults lose their natural teeth. Treating periodontal disease as early as possible offers the best chance at halting the disease and keeping the condition from impacting your overall health. At Made Ya Smile Dental, our skilled team offers nonsurgical and surgical dental treatments for all stages of gum disease. Our objective is to protect your smile from further damage. Contact our team for a periodontal consultation right away if any signs or symptoms of gum disease are affecting your oral health.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause issues such as tooth loss and bone loss. This can create trouble chewing, unsightly gums, even lead to overall health issues. It's important to have periodontal disease treatment as soon as possible to avoid further damage to both your mouth and body. Some benefits of periodontal disease treatment include:

• Reduced pain
• Prevent further tooth decay
• Better breath
• Restored gum tissues
• Better gum health

At your appointment at Made Ya Smile Dental in Kingwood, we will evaluate your gums to create the right treatment plan. We begin a periodontal evaluation by taking low-radiation digital x-rays to evaluate the bones supporting your teeth. Bone loss and infection are both key indicators of gum disease. Any signs of infection will need to be addressed immediately. You can expect that we will also measure the depth of your gum pockets. Any pocket deeper than 3mm will be considered as high risk for periodontitis. If it is determined that you do have gum disease, then we will make treatment recommendations based on the severity of your condition. We offer the following treatments to treat the periodontal disease of the gums:

• Prophylaxis (deep cleanings)
• Scaling and root planing
• Antibiotic injections into the gums 
• Gum grafting
• Surgery

The Made Ya Smile Dental team will be with you every step of the way and will monitor your progress to better oral health. 

Made Ya Smile Dental accepts most major PPO dental insurance plans and will contact your provider to learn about your coverage before we begin any treatment. Periodontal disease services and prevention may be covered in part by some dental insurance plans. If you still have out-of-pocket expenses or do not have insurance, we offer several convenient payment options, like CareCredit® for low-interest financing options.

Is there anything I should know before my gum disease treatment?

Before your periodontal treatment, we'll take a look at your medical history. It would help if you bring a list of medications you're taking so we can review them during this same review period. You may also want to speak with your insurance company to better understand your coverage and expected out-of-pocket costs.

How long does it take to notice the results of my periodontal treatment?

After about 2 – 3 weeks, you should start to notice the results of your periodontal disease treatment.

What are some of the most common signs of gum disease?

Some of the most common signs of gum infection or disease include:

• Red or swollen gums
• Painful gums
• Bad breath
• Blood after brushing or flossing
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth

How quickly does periodontal disease progress?

Periodontal disease progresses slowly but steadily. It takes plaque about four days to reach its maximum extent, so you would likely see signs of disease on the fifth day. If no treatment is started, you may see signs of advanced stages within a few weeks. It is vital to schedule an appointment if you notice signs of gum disease. Our team will work with you to create a periodontal disease treatment at our Kingwood, TX office as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

We can map out a plan of action for you if you do have periodontal disease. If you do not, we would be happy to share with you ways to care for your teeth and avoid gum disease altogether. Make your appointment at the Kingwood, TX Made Ya Smile Dental office today.