Gum treatment in Cooper City, Florida

Have you seem the T-shirt that says “Smile while you still have teeth”? Our team at Towncare Dental of Cooper City always wants you to have a healthy smile – not a gap-toothed one. Education is the first key to combating dental problems. Every day, the bacteria in your mouth is wreaking havoc on your enamel, gums and the bone holding your teeth in place. 

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

Peridontal disease is a gum infection. The first stage is gingivitis. As the infection becomes worse, the bacteria spreads below your gum line and begins attacking tissue and bone.

Factors leading up to this ailment include poor dental hygiene, crooked or crowded teeth, unhealthy eating habits, use of tobacco products and/or smoking, aging, heredity, hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, stress and systematic ailments such as diabetes and heart disease.

What Are Common Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease traditionally begins as a simple infection and you may not immediately notice symptoms. As it progresses, periodontal disease symptoms may be revealed including: swollen, red or bleeding gums, recession of gums, bad breath, a lingering bad taste in your mouth and teeth that are loose or shifting in your mouth.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with one of our dentists at Towncare Dental of Cooper City. Call (954) 719-6278 today for a consultation.

What Are the Types of Gum Disease?

If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis, consider it a first alarm. Regular checkups and cleanings, plus eating well and practicing good dental hygiene will reverse damage and result with a healthy mouth.

Untreated, gingivitis may lead to periodontitis, a serious infection that causes gums to separate from the teeth, forming “pockets.” Food and bacteria tend to clog these spaces as plaque grows below the gum line.

Toxins produced by bacteria and “good” enzymes that fight infection begin breaking down bone and tissue that keep your teeth in place.

As periodontitis becomes more serious, the pockets deepen and more tissue and bone is destroyed and your teeth are no longer anchored in the sockets. They will become loose and possibly fall out.

According to most dental associations, gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Go on the offensive for your smile and seek help at Towncare Dental of Cooper City when symptoms first show themselves and get on the road to better oral health.

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

The typical “six-month dental cleaning” is a prophylaxis, commonly called a healthy-mouth cleaning. This is the preventive measure that most insurance companies cover, and almost all the attention is focused on teeth above the gum line. In the case of periodontal disease, attention needs to be paid to what is below the gum line.

To get to the root of the issue, our periodontist or hygienist at Towncare Dental of Cooper City will perform scaling and root planing -- deep-cleaning methods that remove plaque and tartar. In more severe cases, surgery may be suggested to reduce the size of the pockets in your mouth.

To keep periodontitis from causing more damage to your teeth, you will need frequent cleanings. This is important because gum disease may play a role in heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and more.

If gum disease is prevalent in your family, you need to be especially vigilant. If left to run amok, periodontal disease can destroy the bone in your mouth causing your teeth to become loose or fall out. In these cases, our dentist or periodontist may suggest a regenerative treatment such as a bone and/or tissue graft, or apply tissue-simulating proteins to regrow bone and tissue.

What Can I Do at Home to Prevent Gum Disease?

We are committed to help you have a wide, healthy smile your entire life. Do your part and brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss every day, get a new toothbrush every three to four months, consume a well-balanced diet and schedule regular dental checkups.

If you need a diagnosis or treatment we are here to help. Call Towncare Dental of Cooper City at (954) 719-6278 for a consultation.