Periodontal Therapy
We Provide Expert Periodontal Therapy in Laurel, MD
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is the most common adult dental affliction. About 30% of the population experiences gum disease, and it’s the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Many denture cases begin as a result of the ravages of this condition. While not curable, it is controllable, but it requires a focused strategy, similar to managing other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. At Laurel Smile Design, Dr. Amna Choudhary and Dr. Sunny Choudhary are experienced in diagnosing and managing gum disease at every stage, helping you protect the foundation your smile depends on.
What Is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dental professional who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease. Becoming a periodontist requires additional years of training and education beyond dental school, allowing for advanced expertise in both surgical and non-surgical gum treatment. While our general dentists can treat many minor gum-related issues, more advanced cases may call for the specialized care a periodontist provides.
Signs You May Need Periodontal Therapy
Gum disease can advance quietly, with few symptoms in its early stages, which is why regular exams matter so much. You may want to schedule a visit if you notice:
A change in your bite
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
Loose teeth
Receding gums
- Significant pain or discomfort in or around your gums
The Causes of Periodontitis
Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. Bacteria form a sticky substance, plaque, that adheres to the teeth. Brushing and flossing aim to remove plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. Tartar becomes a colony for even more bacteria, pumping toxins into the gums.
Gums react to this bacterial invasion with an inflammatory response directed by the immune system. Around the base of each tooth, a small collar of gum tissue forms a small crevice, or pocket. This warm, dark environment provides a perfect habitat for deeper tartar and bacterial penetration, with toxins seeping into the base of the collar. In addition to poor hygiene, risk factors for periodontitis include smoking, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and conditions that affect the immune system.
Understanding the Stages of Periodontal Disease
Early detection is essential to effective treatment, which is why regular dental checkups matter so much. The stages of periodontal disease include:
Inflammation (Gingivitis)
Early inflammation results in bleeding gums, often noticed when brushing or flossing.
Early Periodontal Disease
Bacteria left untreated create a chronic infection in the gum collar, and the bone may begin to deteriorate around the teeth.
Moderate Periodontal Disease
More than 50% of the bone around your teeth can disappear before any signs of looseness or pain begin to appear, since the bone loss itself causes minimal discomfort.
Advanced Periodontal Disease
The bone around teeth never regenerates, so this loss becomes permanent. Untreated gum disease at this stage leads to abscess and, in many cases, generalized tooth loss.
Looking for Periodontal Therapy in Laurel MD?
We Can Effectively Diagnose Gum Problems
We draw on objective clinical data to form a gum disease diagnosis and to grade the condition. The small collar of gum around each tooth usually sits 2 to 3 millimeters deep, a small crevice easily cleaned by floss or toothpicks. Dr. Amna Choudhary or our hygiene team can measure and chart multiple areas using a small measuring device. If these measurements register beyond 3 millimeters and include bleeding areas, disease is present, and deeper findings indicate more advanced disease than shallower readings.
Dr. Amna Choudhary will also consider the texture and shape of your gums, along with any movement detectable in each tooth. It’s also vital to examine the levels, shape, and density of the bone around your teeth on digital X-rays. By drawing together these findings, a clear picture forms about your gum condition.
We Treat Gum Disease in Laurel, MD
After establishing a diagnosis defining the severity of gum disease, a personalized treatment plan can be developed with you. In milder forms, with little or no bone loss, one or two visits with our hygiene team may bring the condition under control. When you leave our office with a strategy for daily home care and an established maintenance schedule, little additional treatment may be needed.
If inflammation has advanced with measurable bone loss, a proactive approach halting the destruction should be strongly considered. Often, we will suggest gentle numbing of your gums for your comfort during the deeper cleaning process. One area at a time undergoes meticulous cleaning above and below the gum line, usually over several visits, using hand and ultrasonic instruments to remove the infected pocket around each tooth, including mineralized tartar. Polishing the teeth to establish glassy surfaces that help repel stain and plaque accumulation usually finishes this initial therapy.
Dr. Amna Choudhary may suggest a medicated rinse, an electric toothbrush, a Waterpik, or other specific strategies to help you with your ongoing efforts. Remember, gum disease can be controlled but not cured, so dedicated, consistent daily efforts are essential to keeping it under control. If our combined efforts don’t halt your gum disease, we will suggest a referral to a trusted periodontist for further, specialized treatment.
Why Maintenance Matters
Regular home care is critical to arrest the progression of gum disease. Within a few hours of a careful cleaning, bacteria begin to repopulate and adhere to the teeth. Plaque left undisturbed will start to harden and mineralize within 24 hours, and deeper gum pockets require even more diligence to prevent bacteria from burrowing further into the foundation of your teeth. Since the deepest sections of previously damaged gum pockets can be difficult to reach at home, we can customize your maintenance plan to include 2, 3, or 4 visits a year, depending on the severity of your condition and its response to treatment.
The Mouth-Body Connection
Current research continues to establish clear links between bacterial disease in your mouth and ailments in other parts of the body, including heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and certain types of cancer. Bleeding gums provide a direct pathway into the bloodstream for toxic oral bacteria. In fact, if bleeding gums were connected into one single patch, it would create a 2 x 2-inch square, comparable to an open wound. Diabetes and other autoimmune disorders lower the body’s ability to fight infection, allowing uncontrolled gum disease to advance faster, while inflammation in the mouth can aggravate diabetes in return, underscoring the importance of optimal oral health.
Contact Laurel Smile Design Today
If you notice recurring gum pain or any of the warning signs above, you may be dealing with periodontal disease. This condition will worsen if left untreated, so it’s important to schedule a visit with our team at Laurel Smile Design in Laurel, MD. Contact us today to improve your oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Therapy
Is gum disease curable?
No, gum disease is not curable, but it is controllable with a focused, consistent treatment and home care strategy, much like managing high blood pressure or diabetes.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Early gum disease often has few noticeable symptoms. Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing is one of the earliest signs, which is why regular dental exams are so important for catching it early.
Does gum disease really affect my overall health?
Yes. Research links oral bacteria to conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Bleeding gums create a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream, connecting oral health to overall health.
How often will I need maintenance visits if I have gum disease?
This depends on the severity of your condition and how it responds to treatment. Maintenance schedules are typically customized to include 2 to 4 visits a year.
Will I need to see a specialist for my gum disease?
Not always. Many cases can be managed by our team. If your condition doesn’t respond to treatment, we’ll refer you to a trusted periodontist for more specialized care.
LAUREL SMILE DESIGN
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Office Hours
- Monday: 9am to 4:30pm
- Tuesday: 10am to 7pm
- Wednesday: 9am to 4:30pm
- Thursday: 10am to 7pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: By Appointment Only
- Sunday: Closed