Healthy gums do more than support your teeth. They create a strong foundation for your smile and protect against harmful bacteria. When gum disease develops, it can lead to discomfort, tooth loss, and even affect your overall health. At Viera Dental Design Studio in Melbourne, FL, we provide expert periodontal care to restore and maintain healthy gums. Schedule your consultation today.
Understanding Periodontics
Periodontics focuses on the health of your gums and the structures that keep your teeth in place. When gums become inflamed or start to recede, they lose their ability to protect the underlying bone and tissues. Specialized treatments help prevent and manage gum disease, keeping your smile strong and healthy.
- Gum disease prevention: Helps stop infection before it starts.
- Diagnosis and treatment: Identifies and treats mild to severe gum disease.
- Improved gum stability: Strengthens the foundation of your teeth.
- Long-term oral health: Supports a confident, healthy smile.
How Gum Disease Develops
Gum disease starts slowly, often with no obvious symptoms. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, forms on the teeth and hardens into tartar, which irritates the gums and triggers infection. As the disease progresses, the infection spreads beneath the gums, damaging the structures that hold your teeth in place.
- Plaque formation: Bacteria and food particles create a thin, invisible layer on the teeth.
- Tartar buildup: Hardened plaque traps bacteria along the gumline, fueling infection.
- Gingivitis: Gums become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding, signaling early disease.
- Periodontitis: Infection spreads deeper, breaking down bone and tissue, leading to tooth loss.
Periodontal Treatments For A Healthier Smile
Effective periodontal treatment helps stop gum disease before it causes irreversible damage. Our team offers a variety of solutions that target infection, restore gum health, and strengthen the foundation of your smile. Whether you need deep cleaning, antibiotics, or surgical procedures, we provide personalized care to meet your needs.
Gum disease is fueled by harmful bacteria that spread beneath the gumline. Antibiotic therapy helps control infection, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. This treatment is often used alongside deep cleaning to enhance results.
- Topical antibiotics: Applied directly to infected gum areas.
- Oral antibiotics: Helps fight bacteria from within the body.
- Gum health improvement: Reduces inflammation and promotes healing.
- Complementary treatment: Often paired with deep cleaning for best results.
Perio trays are custom-fit devices designed to deliver medication directly to the gums, reaching areas that toothbrushes, floss, and mouth rinses often miss. This treatment helps manage gum disease at home between dental visits.
- Targeted medication delivery: Reaches deep beneath the gumline.
- Easy at-home use: Designed for daily wear to maintain gum health.
- Infection control: Helps reduce bacteria and inflammation.
- Long-term support: Complements in-office periodontal care.
Armour treatment provides a protective barrier that strengthens enamel and defends teeth against decay while supporting gum health. It is often recommended for patients who need extra protection due to gum disease or weakened enamel.
- Protective shield: Reinforces enamel and tooth structure.
- Decay prevention: Helps reduce the risk of cavities.
- Gum support: Enhances overall periodontal health.
- Complementary care: Works alongside deep cleanings and antibiotics.
Deep cleaning is essential for stopping gum disease in its early stages. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, while root planing smooths rough tooth surfaces to prevent bacteria from returning. This procedure allows the gums to heal and reattach to the teeth.
- Scaling: Removes tartar buildup from the teeth and gums.
- Root planing: Smooths tooth roots to discourage bacteria.
- Bacteria removal: Reduces the risk of further infection.
- Gum reattachment: Encourages healing and strengthens support for teeth.
Excess gum tissue can make teeth appear too short or interfere with restorative treatments. Crown lengthening reshapes the gumline, exposing more of the tooth’s surface and improving symmetry. This procedure can enhance your smile’s appearance and prepare teeth for restorations.
- Gum reshaping: Adjusts gum levels for a more even smile.
- Tooth exposure: Creates room for crowns, fillings, or veneers.
- Enhanced appearance: Reduces excessive gum display.
- Customizable results: Tailored to match each patient’s smile goals.
Gum disease can lead to tooth loss, but modern solutions like dental implants restore both function and aesthetics. Implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, providing a durable and natural-looking replacement for missing teeth. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
- Natural tooth replacement: Mimics the look and function of real teeth.
- Jawbone preservation: Prevents bone loss and maintains facial structure.
- Secure fit: Stays in place without slipping or discomfort.
- Long-term durability: Designed to last for many years with proper care.
Once gum disease is under control, regular maintenance is essential to keep your gums healthy. Routine cleanings help remove bacteria and prevent infection from returning. These visits also allow our team to monitor your gum health and address any concerns early.
- Deep cleanings: Removes bacteria buildup from the gumline.
- Disease monitoring: Detects signs of recurring gum disease.
- Long-term gum health: Helps maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- Customized care: Treatment plans tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients have questions about gum disease and periodontal treatments. Below are answers to some of the most common concerns.
Gum disease often begins with red, swollen gums that may bleed when brushing or flossing. As it progresses, symptoms can include persistent bad breath, gum recession, and loose teeth. Early detection is key to preventing further damage.
Yes. Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, is reversible with proper care, while advanced periodontitis can be managed with professional treatment. Ongoing periodontal maintenance helps prevent the disease from returning.
If you have signs of gum disease or are at higher risk, visits every three to six months may be recommended. Patients without gum disease should still maintain regular dental checkups to catch any early warning signs.
Plaque buildup is the primary cause, but other factors can increase your risk. Smoking, genetics, poor oral hygiene, and certain medical conditions can contribute to gum disease development.
Yes. Research has linked gum disease to serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Keeping your gums healthy supports both your oral and overall well-being.
Most patients with a history of gum disease benefit from professional cleanings every three to four months. This helps prevent bacteria from accumulating and keeps gums in good condition.
Modern techniques and sedation options make treatments much more comfortable. Some patients may experience mild discomfort afterward, but this is typically manageable with proper aftercare.
Daily brushing and flossing, using an antibacterial mouthwash, and scheduling regular dental visits help prevent gum disease. A healthy diet and avoiding tobacco also reduce the risk.
Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and receding gums are early warning signs. If you notice any of these symptoms, scheduling a checkup as soon as possible is important.
Studies show a link between gum disease and systemic health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Maintaining good gum health can help protect your overall health.