Gum Disease

We might seem biased because we’re periodontists, but research backs up the fact that good periodontal health is necessary for good overall health. Studies have revealed a connection between gum disease and serious systemic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease. With up to 50% of U.S. adults suffering from some form of periodontal disease, it’s clear that periodontal care is vital for your health.
Ideally, we would like to prevent gum disease before it ever starts. This can be done with regular check-ups with your dentist or periodontist. Routine cleanings remove plaque and tartar at the gumline and between the teeth, where it’s difficult for your toothbrush and floss to reach, and give you a fresh start every six months or so. If you are showing symptoms of gum disease, such as swelling, tenderness, redness, or bleeding, we may recommend more frequent cleanings.
If periodontal disease has already taken hold, a deep cleaning can help stop the disease in its tracks. This treatment, which we call scaling and root planing, clears away plaque and bacteria below the gumline and smooths out the roots of your teeth to help prevent reinfection.
Advanced periodontal disease may require a more aggressive approach, including surgery. As gum disease progresses, it causes significant damage to your soft gum tissue, the bone beneath your gums, and the connective tissue that holds your teeth in place. If this is damaged, surgery can help repair and replace it. The pockets that form from periodontal disease create a breeding ground for destructive bacteria. Surgery helps us tighten these pockets so they are snug around your teeth once again.
If you have symptoms of gum disease, give us a call to schedule an appointment with your Hollywood and Aventura periodontist today. It’s never too early or too late to improve your periodontal health, and we’d love to help.