Healthy gums are the foundation of every confident smile, and caring for them is just as important as caring for your teeth. Periodontics focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing gum problems so you can maintain a healthy mouth for life. With the right care, you can avoid discomfort, protect your overall health, and keep your smile strong. Schedule your visit with Perfect Smiles Dentistry in Everett, WA, today to take the first step toward healthier gums.
What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the gums and the supporting structures of your teeth. It focuses on keeping these tissues strong, treating issues like gum disease, and restoring areas where damage has occurred. Healthy gums keep your teeth secure.
- Focus on gum health: Specialized care strengthens gums and protects the tissues that support your teeth.
- Preserve natural teeth: Prevents tooth loss by treating gum infections before they damage bone.
- Restore comfort and confidence: Makes eating, speaking, and smiling feel natural again.
The Link Between Periodontal Health & Overall Health
Gum health is closely tied to overall wellness, and untreated gum disease can affect more than just your mouth. Research shows connections between periodontal disease and conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Taking care of your gums helps protect your whole body.
- Lower heart risk: Healthy gums reduce the strain linked to cardiovascular disease.
- Support diabetes care: Managing gum health can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Reduce inflammation: Lowers the body’s burden of chronic infection and swelling.
- Protect overall health: Strong gums contribute to a healthier immune system and daily energy.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a gum infection caused by bacteria that build up when plaque is left untreated. It often starts with irritation and bleeding, but it can lead to tooth loss if it worsens. Catching it early is always best.
- Early-stage gingivitis: Causes red, swollen gums that may bleed when brushing or flossing.
- Bacterial cause: Plaque and tartar fuel infection that breaks down gum and bone tissue.
- Progressive risk: Without treatment, it can lead to loose teeth and permanent oral damage.
Stages & Symptoms
Periodontal disease develops in stages, from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. Symptoms become more noticeable as the disease progresses, and ignoring them can lead to long-term damage. Paying attention to early warning signs makes treatment easier.
- Bleeding gums: Often shows up during brushing or flossing and is one of the earliest warning signs.
- Persistent bad breath: Bacteria deep in the gums cause odor that mouthwash cannot fully mask.
- Receding gums: Teeth appear longer as gums pull back, exposing sensitive tooth roots.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
The best way to protect your gums is through prevention, which combines daily care with professional support. Brushing, flossing, and healthy lifestyle choices play a big role in keeping your gums strong. Regular dental visits add another layer of protection.
- Consistent home care: Brushing twice a day and flossing daily keeps plaque from building up.
- Routine visits: Professional cleanings remove hardened tartar and detect early gum issues.
- Smart lifestyle choices: Avoiding smoking and eating a balanced diet lowers your risk of gum disease.
Our Periodontic Services
Periodontic care includes a wide range of treatments designed to stop gum disease, restore damaged tissue, and protect your smile. Each plan is personalized to match your stage of gum health, whether you need a preventive deep cleaning or advanced surgical care. Our goal is always to restore comfort, preserve natural teeth, and keep you confident in your oral health.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning treatment used to manage gum disease without surgery. It removes bacteria from below the gumline and smooths root surfaces to encourage healing. This helps gums reattach more firmly to your teeth.
- Deep cleaning: Targets bacteria and hardened tartar below the gumline where brushing can’t reach.
- Smooths roots: Provides a healthier surface that encourages gum tissue to heal.
- Reduces swelling: Helps ease gum irritation and restore comfort.
- Prevents progression: Stops gum disease from worsening into advanced stages.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be recommended to help control infection and speed recovery. They are especially useful for reaching bacteria in areas that are hard to clean. Used alongside other treatments, they help improve outcomes.
- Targets bacteria: Reaches harmful microbes that linger deep in gum pockets.
- Supports healing: Reduces swelling and irritation so tissues can recover more quickly.
- Boosts results: Works hand-in-hand with deep cleanings to make treatment more effective.
Gum Surgery
When gum disease has advanced, surgery may be necessary to restore health. This treatment allows providers to clean deeper areas and repair tissue that cannot heal on its own. Gum surgery helps protect your teeth and gums from further damage.
- Removes bacteria: Gives providers access to hidden pockets of infection.
- Preserves teeth: Strengthens support to prevent future tooth loss.
- Restores health: Repairs damaged gum tissue for better stability.
- Prevents worsening: Protects against long-term complications of untreated disease.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is a procedure used to restore tissue where gums have receded. It protects exposed roots, reduces sensitivity, and creates a more balanced smile. This treatment strengthens both appearance and oral health.
- Covers roots: Shields exposed tooth surfaces from decay and sensitivity.
- Rebuilds tissue: Restores lost gum volume for stronger protection.
- Improves smile: Brings back a natural gumline for cosmetic balance.
- Protects future health: Helps reduce the chance of further gum recession.
Bone Grafting
Advanced gum disease can cause bone loss that weakens tooth stability. Bone grafting restores this support and helps maintain the structure of your jaw. It also prepares the area for dental implants if replacements are needed.
- Rebuilds strength: Restores jawbone damaged by long-term infection.
- Improves stability: Keeps natural teeth more secure and functional.
- Supports implants: Creates a strong foundation for future tooth replacement.
- Protects structure: Preserves facial shape by maintaining bone density.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening reshapes the gumline to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to make room for restorations or to improve the look of your smile. It creates both functional and cosmetic benefits.
- Exposes more tooth: Makes room for crowns or fillings so restorations fit securely.
- Restores balance: Adjusts the gumline to create an even, natural-looking smile.
- Improves appearance: Enhances tooth-to-gum proportion for a healthier, more attractive look.
Care For Your Gums, Strengthen Your Smile
Your gums play a vital role in keeping your smile strong and your overall health protected. With advanced periodontic treatments, you can stop gum disease, restore comfort, and feel confident again. At Perfect Smiles Dentistry in Everett, WA, our trusted provider offers the care you need to safeguard your oral health for years to come. Call today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward healthier gums and a brighter smile.