Periodontal Treatment in Royal Oak, MI

periodontal treatment royal oak mi When it comes to your oral health, proper gum care is just as important as tooth care. And it also turns out that the health of your gums is intricately linked to the health of the rest of your body. Recent research has shown a clear link between gum disease and serious system conditions including heart disease, strokes, respiratory disease, reproductive difficulties, diabetes… even some forms of cancer.

At Family Dentistry of Royal Oak, we take the health of your gums very seriously. We are careful during your cleanings to remove traces of plaque and tartar from beneath the gumline, and during your examinations, we’ll perform assessments to check for any signs of gum disease. We’ll teach you ways to prevent gum disease from ever starting, and if you already have gum disease, we’ll work hard to stop it in its tracks.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the gum tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place. In it’s mild stages, the most common symptoms are redness, swelling, and some tenderness. As it progresses, you are likely to develop bleeding in the gum tissue when you brush your teeth and pockets around your teeth as your gum tissue recedes. These pockets provide an opening for bacteria and infection to thrive.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is most common in people who aren’t in the habit of regularly brushing and flossing their teeth, but it can also develop in people who are simply more genetically prone to the condition.

At your appointments, we’ll discuss your brushing and flossing habits and help you improve your technique to reduce your risk for developing the disease.

How Do We Treat Gum Disease in the 48220 Area?

In the early stages, gum disease can be treated (and even reversed) with a renewed commitment to good dental hygiene habits and the addition of a few antimicrobial products.

After gum disease passes a certain point, however, the damage it causes can no longer be reversed (except through surgery) although its progress can be slowed and even stopped.

Deep cleanings known as scaling and root planing are used to clean out the pockets caused by gum disease. These cleanings destroy bacteria and smooth out the surfaces of the roots of your teeth to remove the places where bacteria can cling. An antibiotic called Arestin is also applied locally to the pockets to prevent bacteria from returning.

If you have gum disease, we’ll work with you one-on-one to create a comprehensive treatment plan so that you can have the best results possible. Call us today to schedule an evaluation and examination with Dr. Chalasani so we can get started.