Periodontal Care in Tacoma
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Common Signs of Gum Disease
Not sure if you might have gum disease? Here are some symptoms to watch out for:Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums or teeth appearing “longer”
- Loose or shifting teeth
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to schedule an evaluation right away.
Did you know…
Almost half of all adults aged 30 or older have some form of gum disease.
Benefits of Treating Gum Disease
Treating gum disease early protects more than just your smile. Benefits include:
Preserve your natural teeth
Prevent tooth loss and keep your smile strong.
Protect overall health
Reduce your risk of systemic conditions linked to gum disease, like heart disease and diabetes.
Restore comfort and confidence
Enjoy fresher breath, healthier gums, and the ability to chew and speak comfortably.
Gum Disease Treatments
Periodontal care is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the supporting tissues around your teeth, including your gums and jawbone. When gum disease develops, it can compromise these structures, leading to tooth loss if left untreated. A periodontist’s role is to prevent, diagnose, and treat gum disease—keeping your mouth healthy and your smile confident.
Scaling and root planing
Often called a “deep cleaning,” this treatment is the first line of defense against gum disease. Dr. Hong carefully removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline, then smooths the tooth roots to make it harder for bacteria to reattach. This helps reduce inflammation, promotes gum healing, and allows the gums to better support your teeth.
Antibacterial therapy
In some cases, deep cleaning is paired with localized antibiotic treatment to directly target infection. Medication may be placed in the gum pockets or prescribed in the form of rinses or gels to reduce harmful bacteria. This approach can improve healing and lower the risk of gum disease returning.
Surgical options
For advanced cases of periodontitis, surgical care may be recommended. These procedures can include gum grafts to restore recessed tissue, bone grafts to rebuild lost support around the teeth, or pocket reduction surgery to make oral hygiene more effective. Surgical treatment is designed to restore both health and stability to your smile.
Ongoing maintenance
Once gum disease is under control, maintenance is key to keeping it from coming back. Periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically scheduled every 3–4 months and focus on keeping the gums healthy, controlling bacteria, and monitoring for any signs of disease progression.
Have questions about periodontal care in tacoma? Find answers here.
why might I need periodontal care?
At Rainier Smiles Dentistry, we always encourage our patients to have a proactive approach and prevent dental problems rather than wait until they develop into more serious issues.
If you've skipped your dental appointments and weren't too diligent about your oral health, then you may notice that not only your teeth are suffering but your gums too.
The bacteria that accumulates on your gums due to improper dental care can lead to a medical complication called periodontitis.
This disease is an inflammation of the gums that, untreated, can evolve and affect the structure of your teeth and bones.
However, if proper oral hygiene is maintained and periodontitis is diagnosed early and treated, this disease can be stopped from progressing and the repercussions are minimal.
how can you find out if you suffer from periodontitis?
Although symptoms may vary depending on the stage of the disease, some of the most common ones include:
- Bleeding gums when brushing your teeth
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
- Pain while chewing
- A buildup of plaque or tartar on your teeth
The symptoms of the early stages of the disease may not be very obvious, but a specialist like Dr. Steve Hong can observe these signs and recommend the best treatment plan.
what causes periodontitis?
Although all people have a large number of harmless bacteria in their mouths, when you don't follow proper oral hygiene, these bacteria can become harmful and cause complications such as periodontitis.
When you don't brush your teeth and floss regularly, the following things can happen:
- Bacteria in your mouth multiply and form a substance called dental plaque.
- If plaque is not removed quickly, the bacteria will eventually store minerals inside it.
- Tartar will form, which will stimulate bacterial growth to the root of the tooth.
- The increased bacterial growth will cause the gums to become inflamed.
- The connection between the root of the tooth and the gum can be affected in time and cause the formation of a periodontal pocket.
- Bacteria can occupy that space and multiply, producing toxins harmful to the gums and teeth.
how to treat periodontitis
The best way to treat periodontitis is through an intensive cleansing of bacteria and plaque accumulated on the gums and teeth.
At Rainier Smiles Dentistry, we offer deep cleaning where our Tacoma dentists will remove plaque buildup and tartar from your teeth and their roots. Then, he will polish your teeth to remove staining and add a protective layer of fluoride.
He will also ensure that any periodontal pocket is thoroughly cleaned to allow it to heal properly.
Did you know…
With proper dental care, you can completely reverse gingivitis!