Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease is common and may be caused by many factors including plaque buildup, genetics and other factors. Bacteria inflames the gums causing them to become red and swollen and pockets can form where the gums pull away from the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause bone loss, abscesses, and halitosis.
Flossing is the primary way to prevent periodontal disease and maintain a healthy mouth. The treatment for periodontal disease is to remove the bacteria. This is accomplished through "deep cleaning" or "scaling and root planing (SRP)". In this procedure, the gums and teeth are numbed with anesthetic and the bacteria living on the teeth and beneath the gums is removed. The gums then have an opportunity to reattach to the tooth restoring the firm, pink healthy appearance.
