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Periodontal Disease

El Paso Periodontics & Implant Specialists -  - Periodontist

El Paso Periodontics & Implant Specialists

Periodontists & Dental Implant Specialists located in El Paso, TX

Close to 50% of American adults over 30 have some type of periodontal disease, a condition that affects your gums and teeth. Vahid Khoshkam, DDS, and Naser Rezaei, DDS, MS, of El Paso Periodontics & Implant Specialists in El Paso, Texas, recommend deep cleanings for those who already have periodontal disease. And, for those who don’t, good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are the best defense. If you have concerns about periodontal disease, call or schedule an appointment with our experienced dentists online.

Periodontal Disease Q & A

What is periodontal disease?

In its earliest stages, periodontal disease is called gingivitis. This condition causes your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed rather easily. You may not experience any discomfort at this stage, even though signs of periodontal disease are visible. 

Gingivitis is usually the result of poor oral hygiene – not brushing and flossing often enough or adequately to keep plaque and tartar away. Fortunately, this early stage of periodontal disease is reversible with professional treatment and improving your brushing routine. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a condition called periodontitis, and eventually, full-blown periodontal disease. 

When you don’t treat gingivitis, periodontitis, and periodontal disease, it often leads to a host of other health problems. And, you inevitably lose some teeth as well.

What are the warning signs of periodontal disease?

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include:

  • Swollen, bleeding gums
  • Gums that pull away (recede) from your teeth
  • Chronic bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth
  • Loose permanent teeth
  • Pain when chewing food
  • Sensitive teeth and gums
  • Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Am I at risk of developing periodontal disease?

Certain health and lifestyle factors contribute to the onset of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Some of the most common risk factors are:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Smoking and tobacco use
  • Certain medications or illnesses
  • Diabetes
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause
  • Genetics

If someone has a genetic predisposition towards periodontitis, they still need to forgo some elements of dental hygiene to start developing late-stage gum disease. The easiest way to avoid having this problem is to brush and floss the teeth on a regular basis and visit a dentist at least twice a year.

How is periodontal disease treated?

Your treatment depends on what stage the periodontal disease is at. The main goal of treatment is to stop the infection from spreading. Some treatment options available at El Paso Periodontics & Implant Specialists include antibiotics, scaling, and root planing.

Scaling is a method of scraping tartar from below and above the gumline, and root planing cleans the roots of your teeth where the bacteria settles. Alternatively, the team at El Paso Periodontics & Implant Specialists might recommend a regenerative procedure to rejuvenate damaged bone and tissue. The periodontist can perform flap surgery (also called pocket reduction surgery), where the gum tissue is folded back to deeply clean the infected area. A bone graft can be inserted to reduce the pocket depths, and repair the damage caused by periodontal disease. 

To have the team at El Paso Periodontics & Implant Specialists examine your mouth for signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease, it’s important to come in for an initial exam and cleaning. Call or schedule an appointment online to take the first step toward restoring good oral hygiene.