Services
Periodontics
in Everett, WA
Periodontal (gum) disease, a progressive but preventable condition, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Your trusted team at Madison Street Dental Clinic is proud to offer quality periodontic services focusing on preventing, treating, and managing periodontal disease to ensure you enjoy a healthy, confident smile for many years to come.
How Does Periodontal Disease Develop?
Poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of periodontal disease. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, continuously forms on the teeth and gum line. If not cleaned off, plaque-bacteria irritate the gums, causing inflammation. That results in the gum tissues pulling away from the teeth, leaving pockets that trap plaque, tartar, and debris, providing the ideal environment for bacteria to flourish. Other contributing factors to periodontal disease include smoking, family history, the aging process, and hormonal changes during pregnancy.
What Are the Stages of Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease is a progressive condition. It starts with gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If not treated, the condition progresses to early periodontitis, during which a slight loss of the bone that supports the teeth often occurs. Next is moderate periodontitis, where more gum and bone tissue are affected, and teeth may begin to become loose. The most severe and serious stage of periodontal disease is advanced periodontitis. The gingival pockets deepen significantly, chewing becomes painful, and the teeth loosen further, eventually falling out.
Periodontal Disease and Your Overall Health
Periodontal disease affects more than your oral health. Studies have uncovered a connection between gum disease and various serious health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, premature births, and more.
How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?
The most effective treatment for periodontal disease is a conservative, non-surgical deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing. This procedure, coupled with meticulous oral hygiene practices, has been shown to reverse gingivitis and prevent the disease's progression.
Scaling and root planing involve removing plaque and tartar off your teeth, gum line, and root surfaces, then smoothing the root surfaces out to prevent tartar and bacteria buildup. After the procedure, your gums should start healing and reattaching to the surfaces of your teeth. If, however, your periodontitis is at an advanced stage, you may require additional treatments, including medication or surgical intervention.
What Is Periodontal Maintenance?
After scaling and root planing, you will need to schedule more frequent visits to our office, typically every three months, for periodontal maintenance. We will professionally clean your teeth, evaluate your gum's health and, and measure the depth of the pockets. The goal is to halt the progression of the condition and to maintain your gum and bone health.
How Can You Maintain Healthy Gums?
Prevention of gum disease comes down to maintaining a daily oral care routine, including regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash. Don't forget to visit Madison Street Dental Clinic for your routine dental exams and cleanings. We will monitor your oral health and address any issues as they arise while easiest to treat.
Periodontics Near Me
Contact Madison Street Dental Clinic in Everett, WA, to learn more about the prevention, treatment, and management of periodontal disease. We are all about helping our valued patients maintain healthy, functional smiles.
Call us and schedule your appointment today!