Periodontal Treatment

Protect Your Smile & Gums with Periodontal Care

Periodontal treatment is essential for maintaining the health of your gums and preventing the progression of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and other serious health issues if left untreated.

At St. Luke’s Dental, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive periodontal care that addresses the root cause of gum disease and restores your oral health.

Our approach is both preventive and restorative, ensuring that your gums are healthy and your smile remains strong.

What is gum disease (gingivitis)?

Gum disease, or gingivitis, is inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth and is most commonly a result of poor dental hygiene.

Gingivitis is a very common condition and varies widely in severity. It is characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when teeth are brushed or flossed.

Gingivitis is not the same thing as periodontitis, although sometimes a person may be affected by both.

What is the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease?

While gingivitis is inflammation of the gums around the teeth, periodontal disease occurs when the bone below the gums gets inflamed or infected.

Gingivitis starts as food debris mixes with saliva and bacteria-forming plaque that sticks on the surfaces of teeth. If dental plaque and tartar aren’t removed by brushing with toothpaste and flossing, it can become mineralized and form tartar, or calculus. Tartar is very hard and can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.

Both dental plaque and tartar are filled with harmful bacteria, and if they aren’t removed from teeth, they will begin to irritate the gums and cause gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis will often extend from the gums to the bone and lead to periodontitis. When the underlying bone gets infected, it will start to recede away from the teeth and form deep gum pockets. These pockets collect plaque and bacteria as they are very difficult to keep clean, and more bone loss occurs.

As periodontal disease progresses and more bone tissue is lost, the teeth may eventually become loose and fall out.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is mostly caused by improper oral hygiene which allows bacteria in plaque and calculus to remain on the teeth and infect the gums. But there are other factors that increase the risk of developing gingivitis. Some examples are the following:

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Smoking or chewing tobacco

Smoking or chewing tobacco prevents the gum tissue from being able to heal.

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Crooked teeth

Crooked, rotated, or overlapping teeth create more areas for plaque and calculus to accumulate and are harder to keep clean.

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Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes in puberty, pregnancy, and menopause typically correlate with a rise in gingivitis. The increase in hormones causes the blood vessels in the gums to be more susceptible to bacterial and chemical attack.

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Stress

Stress impairs the body’s immune response to bacterial invasion.

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Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus impairs circulation and the gums ability to heal.

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Mouth breathing

Mouth breathing can be harsh on the gums when they aren’t protected by the lips, causing chronic irritation and inflammation.

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Poor nutrition

Poor nutrition such as a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates and low in water intake will increase the formation of plaque. Also, a deficiency of important nutrients such as vitamin C will impair healing.

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