828 NE A St, Grants Pass, OR 97526
What Is Periodontal Care?
Periodontal care refers to a number of different treatments intended to help control, manage, and reverse gum disease. More than half of all adults have some form of gum disease, and many don't realize they have it until it's progressed further. With the help of our team at A Street Dental, we can diagnose, treat, and manage gum disease to keep your mouth healthy for the long run.
Gum flap surgery, in particular, is a procedure many general dental offices refer out to a periodontist. Our team handles this directly at A Street Dental in Grants Pass, so most patients can complete treatment without being sent to a separate specialist. We provide periodontal care for patients throughout Southern Oregon, including Josephine County, Myrtle Creek, Canyonville, Selma, and communities along the coast.
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Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease often develops gradually, and many people don't notice it until it's more advanced. A few signs are worth paying attention to:
- Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing
- Gums that appear red, swollen, or tender
- Gum recession that makes teeth look longer than they used to
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted position
If any of this sounds familiar, it's worth having your gums evaluated sooner rather than later.
Our Periodontal Treatment Options
Depending on the stage and severity of your gum disease, we may recommend one of the following treatments:
Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing)
Also called scaling and root planing, deep cleaning involves cleaning thoroughly between the teeth and gums with specialized tools. It's typically done over two appointments, one half of the mouth at a time. We clear bacteria and plaque from below the gumline, smooth out the roots of your teeth, and may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent future bacterial buildup.
Gum Flap Surgery
Used to clean deeply within periodontal pockets that form beneath the gumline due to bacterial buildup, gum flap surgery involves making a small incision near the gums to access and remove diseased tissue. The incision is then closed and allowed to heal, sometimes with special dressings used to support healing and encourage new gum tissue to form.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease typically progresses in stages, and knowing where you stand helps guide the right treatment:
- Gingivitis: The earliest stage, marked by red, swollen, or bleeding gums. At this point, damage is usually reversible with a thorough cleaning and improved home care.
- Early Periodontitis: Left untreated, gingivitis can advance into periodontitis, where the infection begins to affect the bone supporting your teeth. Deep cleaning is often needed at this stage to stop further progression.
- Moderate Periodontitis: Bone and tissue loss becomes more noticeable, gums may recede further, and teeth can start to feel slightly loose. Treatment often requires a more involved approach, such as scaling and root planing with closer monitoring.
- Advanced Periodontitis: At this stage, significant bone loss has occurred, teeth may be noticeably loose or shifting, and more involved treatment, such as gum flap surgery, is often needed to control the infection and preserve remaining teeth.
The damage from more advanced stages isn't something that reverses on its own, which is why treatment at the gingivitis stage is so much simpler than managing periodontitis later. The earlier we catch it, the more options you have, and the less invasive treatment tends to be.
Concerned About Your Gum Health?
Whether you've noticed bleeding gums, recession, or just haven't been in for a while, we'll give you an honest evaluation and a clear plan forward. Reach out to our A Street Dental team today, and we'll get you scheduled for a consultation.
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