Dental Health
When you need periodontal care in Elk Grove Village, IL, come to Schumer Family Dental Care. We offer a full range of periodontal care for adults and seniors. Our services consist of a collection of treatments that are designed to address gum disease without surgical intervention. If you’ve been hesitating to get help for periodontal disease, don’t wait any longer. We treat all of our patients with dignity and respect. We understand that many factors can contribute to the development of periodontal disease, which is why we offer a non-judgmental office where you can finally get the periodontal care you need.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Because periodontal disease affects the teeth, many people think that periodontal disease is some kind of tooth infection. However, periodontal disease is a gum disease that negatively affects the teeth as a symptom of the underlying cause. The main issue with periodontal disease is a gum infection that harms the gum tissue around the roots of the teeth, the periodontal ligaments, and the alveolar bone. In short, it’s a disease of the gums, not the teeth. Without treatment, periodontal disease results in lost permanent teeth. The good news is that healing is possible with quality periodontal care early in the disease’s progression.
Periodontal Disease is Preventable
In the vast majority of cases, periodontal disease could have been prevented. Regular teeth cleanings and visits to the dentist can take care of early signs of issues with the gums. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease. While periodontal disease affects areas besides the gums, gingivitis affects only the gum tissue. If you’re wondering where the bacteria in periodontal disease comes from, look no further than dental plaque. Dental plaque is that hard, white build-up on your teeth that dental hygienists always try to eliminate. This is why routine teeth cleanings at the dentist are important throughout your life.
Periodontal Care to Prevent Tooth Loss
Depending upon the extent of the disease progression, your dentist may or may not be able to save affected teeth. However, with expedient, efficient treatment, periodontal disease can be halted.
Treatment For Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease must be addressed as early as possible to prevent tooth loss. Typical treatments include:
Deep Cleaning and Scaling
This removes plaque buildup on the teeth and beneath the gum line. It is usually done by a dental hygienist. After the procedure, your gums may be swollen and red, but this will subside in a few days. Deep cleaning and scaling often take care of a large majority of the problems with gum disease.
Laser Treatment
The latest advancement against periodontal disease is laser treatment, which kills the bacteria that damage teeth, gums, and supporting structures. This treatment is done with local anesthesia so that you won’t feel any pain. Because it’s done with a laser, the healing process is much faster than it might be with older techniques.
Other periodontal care treatments are available at your dentist in Elk Grove Village, IL, depending upon your individual circumstances.
Home Maintenance After Periodontal Care
Your ongoing at-home oral hygiene is essential. Your periodontist will guide you on what you must do to prevent periodontal disease from returning. If you carefully follow the instructions and are vigilant about brushing, flossing, and rinsing every day, you have a good chance of excellent oral health in the coming years.
The final step in preventing periodontal disease from returning is to keep going back to your Elk Grove Village, IL dentist for periodontal disease maintenance. With regular dental exams and cleanings, we can help you prevent periodontal disease from threatening your natural teeth again. For more information and help with periodontal disease, please contact us today.
