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Periodontal disease (also called gum disease) is more common than you may think.
If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you can rest easy knowing that your Orlando Florida dental team has extensive experience with periodontal disease and has successfully treated many patients. Periodontal treatments depend on the type of the gum disease and how severe it is. If the disease is caught early (when it is gingivitis), and no damage has been done to the supporting structures under the teeth, you may simply need a professional cleaning. The dental team can give you tips for improving your daily oral hygiene.
Even with these measures, some patients develop more severe periodontal disease. The first step in treating the disease usually involves a special deep cleaning called “scaling and root planning.” In this treatment, the dentist removes plaque and tartar down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. This treatment may be done over several visits, depending on your needs.
The root surfaces of the teeth are then smoothed (or “planed”) to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the teeth. This treatment also may take more than one visit. Your Orlando Florida dentist may recommend medications to help control infection and pain or to aid healing. These can include a pill, a mouth rinse or a medication that the dentist places directly into the periodontal pocket after scaling and root planning.
If you smoke or chew tobacco, it is important to quit. Ask your local dentist for information about ways to prevent periodontal disease.