Periodontal Disease in Friendswood, TX

Gum (periodontal) disease can cause significant damage to your oral health and smile if not treated. As a common condition affecting millions of Americans, gum disease is caused by bacteria that live within the plaque and emit a toxin that leads to bone and soft tissue deterioration in the jaw. You may be experiencing gum disease if you notice signs or symptoms, like bad breath that will not go away, gums that bleed, gum recession, or teeth feel loose. Gum disease has been linked to several types of general health problems and is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. To treat the effects of gum disease and prevent further damage to your smile, general dentist Dr. Peter Nishino and our team are pleased to offer quality treatment from our modern Friendswood, TX practice.

Gum disease is generally identified by three stages of development. Gingivitis, the earliest stage, affects the gum tissues only and is reversible when treated with timely care. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis goes untreated and involves early damage of the bone and connective tissues that keep your teeth in place. Advance periodontitis develops when the condition is left to progress and is characterized by teeth that have become loose due to the advanced loss of bone that is no longer there to provide proper support.

When it comes to treating gum disease, seeking care as early as possible is the best way to minimize bone loss, tissue damage, and the progression of the disease. Our skilled team can evaluate your periodontal health and determine whether nonsurgical or surgical care is needed to restore your oral health. While gum disease cannot be cured, Made Ya Smile Dental is dedicated to helping you improve your periodontal health and preserving the quality of your smile through effective treatment options and continued maintenance. If bleeding gums, inflammation, or other concerning symptoms are occurring, please get in touch with our team and schedule your gum disease screening today.

Though you may notice some symptoms and signs of gum disease on your own, a screening and evaluation from Dr. Nishino is the best way to learn about your oral condition. We routinely screen for gum disease when you visit our Friendswood, TX practice for checkups. But if you happen to notice any indication of gum disease between your appointments, please get in touch with us right away. Early care is the best way to preserve your bone and gum tissues and prevent the progression of this potentially destructive disease. Signs and symptoms of gum disease commonly include:

• Gum inflammation or tenderness

• Bleeding of the gums when brushing or flossing

• A bad taste or chronic bad breath

• Teeth that shift or feel loose

• Sensitive teeth

• Receding gums

• Pus around the teeth

Gum disease is diagnosed through radiographic evaluation of the bone levels (on dental x-rays) and periodontal measurements taken between the teeth and gums (pockets). To evaluate your periodontal health, our team will take high-quality digital x-rays so that Dr. Nishino can learn if gum disease has caused any bone loss in your jaw. Harmful bacteria hide in the spaces between your teeth and gums, which is where they deliver the most damage and cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. In a healthy area, these spaces measure 3mm or less. Anything over 3mm may indicate the presence of gum disease. Dr. Nishino will review with you your periodontal pocket readings along with your x-rays and determine if gum disease is placing your oral health at risk.

Depending on the amount of bone loss and the overall condition of your periodontal health, Dr. Nishino may recommend nonsurgical or surgical care to halt the disease progression and bring health back to your smile. Gingivitis can often be resolved with a thorough cleaning and better home care. Nonsurgical care, such as scaling and root planing and locally delivered antibiotics, may be ideal for periodontitis while a surgical approach may be needed for more advanced cases. Gum disease often causes gum recession. Once your condition is treated and stable, our team can address repairing your gumline to a healthier level with gum grafting. Please know that we are dedicated to helping you achieve better oral health and are here to help you with all of your treatment needs.

Even though there is no cure for gum disease, it is a condition that can be effectively treated and managed to help you enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile. Keeping up with an excellent home care routine following your gum disease treatment is a key component in establishing and maintaining periodontal health. Our team will show you the best techniques to use when brushing and flossing your teeth. Following your gum disease treatment, you will be provided with specific instructions on how to manage your oral health following your care. In addition to daily home care, visiting our Friendswood, TX practice for maintenance cleanings is also a critical element in preserving your oral structures and preventing further advancement of your gum disease.

Bacteria that lead to the development of gum disease live within the plaque and tartar that develops on your teeth and multiply quickly. To help keep harmful bacteria levels to a minimum and better manage plaque and tartar accumulation, Dr. Nishino may recommend periodontal maintenance cleanings following your gum disease treatment. These visits replace biannual dental cleanings, which are usually not enough to control gum disease in the mouth. During your periodontal maintenance visits, we will thoroughly clean your teeth, treat any recurring areas of infection, and closely monitor the health of your gum and bone tissues. Periodontal maintenance visits are usually scheduled every 3 – 4 months to help you better manage your health and smile.

Treatment for periodontal disease may be covered in part by your dental insurance. Following your consultation, we will contact your provider to learn more about your individual plan and determine if there will be any out-of-pocket costs for your care. Made Ya Smile Dental is pleased to accept most PPO dental plans and will submit your dental insurance claims as a courtesy. Treating gum disease is important to your health. To help you get the procedure you need, we offer a range of easy payment solutions and can provide information on low-cost financing to help make your periodontal treatment fit within your budget.

At Made Ya Smile Dental, our caring team is ready to help you overcome the damaging effects of gum disease and help preserve your beautiful smile. Early care can minimize damage, like bone loss and gum recession, and stop the progression of gum disease in the mouth. Though they may be common, symptoms like bleeding gums, bad breath, and gum recession are not normal and often indicate the presence of a periodontal infection. Get the care you need to enjoy oral health over the long-term by partnering with Dr. Nishino and our team for personalized, high-quality care. Schedule your gum disease evaluation at our Friendswood, TX dental center today.