Periodontal Disease Specialist

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is inflammation or infection affecting your gums and other tissues that support your teeth. Usually, it starts when plaque accumulates on your teeth due to improper brushing and flossing. Periodontal disease is very treatable if you get help from Dr. Parks.

What are the types of periodontal disease?

There are several types of periodontal disease.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, the most common periodontal disease, causes inflammation or infection above the gum line. Gingivitis can cause red gums, bleeding when you brush or floss, and bad breath. If you don't get treatment for gingivitis, the damage can accelerate until you have periodontitis.

Periodontitis

In periodontitis, the inflammation or infection moves below the gum line. If you have periodontitis, you'll have more pronounced symptoms that could include more serious bleeding when you brush or floss, loose teeth, gaps between your teeth and gums, and receding gums.

Aggressive periodontitis

In aggressive periodontitis, you lose gum tissue rapidly and your jawbone is destroyed at a steady rate. If untreated, aggressive periodontitis causes tooth loss. This type of periodontitis is fairly rare and tends to run in families and smokers.

Necrotizing periodontitis

Necrotizing periodontitis, which causes rapid gum tissue and bone death, is most common in patients who have weak immune systems. HIV sufferers and patients who have a suppressed immune system due to cancer treatment may develop this kind of periodontitis.

Systemic disease periodontitis

Conditions that cause body-wide problems, for example, diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disease, can cause periodontitis in patients even if they don't necessarily have a lot of plaque buildup on their teeth.

Dr. Parks can perform a comprehensive exam to determine which type of periodontitis you're dealing with so he can prescribe appropriate treatment.

How is periodontal disease treated?

Treatment depends on the situation. Improved care at home is always important, but you may also need one or more of the following treatments.

• Prescription mouthwash: antimicrobial mouthwash destroys bacteria
• Advanced cleaning: scaling and root planing removes plaque and tartar above and below your gum line
• Gum regeneration: gum tissue grafting can help you regrow your gum tissue
• Bone grafting: restores healthy bone to stop periodontitis progression
• Flap surgery: reduces the pockets between your gums and teeth

If you've lost teeth due to periodontal disease, Dr. Parks may recommend dental implants as well.

To save your mouth from the destruction of periodontal disease, use the online scheduler or call Waco Periodontics & Dental Implants today.