Periodontal Disease in Orlando near Kissimmee, FL

Periodontal Disease Near You

Periodontal disease, otherwise called gum disease or periodontitis, is a condition that affects the areas around the tooth, such as the surrounding and supporting tissues of the tooth, and, in the most advanced stages, the jawbone itself. Periodontal disease in Orlando, FL affects a lot of people today and it is one of the most prevalent causes of tooth loss among adults.

periodontal disease kissimmee

What is Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, during which the gum tissue becomes infected with bacteria. It irritates the gums and causes them to swell and become inflamed. The most visible symptom of gingivitis is bleeding gums. When you brush your teeth and blood comes out, it is highly possible that you have gingivitis and should visit a dentist for a periodontal exam in Orlando. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into more serious forms of periodontal disease.

Types of Periodontal Diseases

Chronic Periodontitis causes gums to recede, thus making it appear that teeth are growing longer. The absence of gum tissue exposes the tooth root and can make the teeth more prone to infection by bacteria. The immune system targets the bacteria in the gum area but destroys the gum tissue in the process. This can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Aggressive Periodontitis in Orlando, FL causes loss of gum attachment and bone destruction. It is often linked to genetics and is believed to be passed on through a person’s parents. A person can acquire this type of gum disease even with a relatively healthy mouth, teeth, and gums.

Periodontitis can also be triggered by ailments affecting the body. People that have medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disease have a higher risk of developing periodontitis. Reported cases of this type of periodontitis often begin early in the patient’s life.

periodontal disease near you

Diagnosis

Periodontal disease can be diagnosed through a periodontal examination done by an Orlando dentist. A small instrument is inserted into the pockets of the teeth. This dental instrument is called a periodontal probe. This instrument measures the depth of the pockets of the teeth. A healthy set of teeth should not have any pockets deeper than three millimeters. There should be no bleeding from the pockets or gums during the probe. The dentist will also check if there is gum inflammation. Through this test, a person can be checked for periodontitis.

This test not only checks for the presence of periodontal disease but also determines the severity of the infection. Through the periodontal examination, the stage of the periodontal disease can be known whether it is just gingivitis, where plaque and bacteria cause the gums to swell and bleed, or periodontitis, where the gums recede, and pockets become deeper and filled with bacteria. Advanced periodontitis is characterized by the gradual destruction of the gums, bone, and periodontal ligaments, which weakens the support provided to the teeth. This could eventually lead to tooth loss without adequate treatment by an Orlando dentist. Through diagnosis, proper treatment and care can be prescribed by the dentist.

Treatment

Treatment of periodontal disease depends on the gravity of the condition. If the condition is in its early stages of gingivitis and there is little to no damage, thorough dental cleaning or two will be done to get rid of bacteria, plaque, and tartar. After the dental cleaning, proper oral care should be practiced to prevent the reoccurrence of bacteria. Scheduled dental cleanings at your Orlando dental clinic should be followed as recommended by your dentist.

Scaling and root planing are treatments used for advanced stages of periodontitis. Planning is a term used to describe a cleaning method that rids the area above and below the gum line of tartar and plaque. After this, the rough areas on the root surface are smoothed out to induce healing of the gums and shrinking of pockets. Thereafter, the use of medicated mouth rinses, special toothbrushes, and medication will be required to complete the healing process.

For more serious types of periodontal diseases, periodontal surgery might be required to treat the infection and reverse the damage caused by bacteria. Pocket elimination surgery is done to remove the pockets which can be breeding grounds for bacteria. Jawbone surgery might also be recommended to remove any indentation in the jaw bone that could harbor bacteria.

Tissue regeneration is done when the bone and gum tissues are severely damaged. The procedure starts with grafting, which greatly stimulates tissue regrowth, and a membrane might be inserted into the treated area, to further accelerate the regeneration of tissues.

When a tooth has been lost due to periodontal disease in Orlando near Kissimmee, FL, the functionality and appearance of the tooth can be restored through the application of dental implants. Dental implants involve the implanting of a prosthetic tooth into the jawbone. This tooth can function and appear as a natural tooth would.

Prevention and Maintenance

The most effective way of preventing periodontal disease is through regular and proper oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day helps promote oral wellness and avoid the development of periodontal disease. Regular visits to a dentist in Kissimmee, is also necessary to ensure that your mouth, teeth, and gums remain healthy. Implementing a healthy diet and avoiding foods with high quantities of sugar also aids in having a healthy mouth.

For those diagnosed and treated for periodontal disease, the treatment process begins with regular and proper dental hygiene. Aside from that, there will be regular dental cleaning sessions to ensure that plaque and tartar in these hard-to-reach places are thoroughly eliminated. During the cleaning sessions, pockets will also be checked for depth and to see if the gums are healthy without the presence of bacterial damage.

There might also be some other precautionary measures to ensure that periodontal disease will not recur such as a review of diagnostic x-rays, checking of existing crowns and fillings implanted on the teeth, thorough checking of teeth surface for tooth decay, checking for signs of possible oral cancer, teeth polishing, and oral hygiene prescriptions. These procedures will not just protect the patient from the recurrence of periodontal diseases but also prevents the teeth and gums from infection by other oral conditions and ailments.

Our Services

Contact US