Tips to Recover Easily from Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is a gum infection that is caused by poor oral hygiene. When plaque is left on the teeth, periodontal disease develops. When it’s left untreated, it can lead to deterioration of the jawbone and even tooth loss. There are many warning signs associated with gum disease. At Premier Periodontics, our periodontal specialists can evaluate your gums to determine if you need periodontal disease treatment. Contact one of our convenient locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond, WA to schedule an appointment to learn more about how we can help you restore your oral health when you suspect you have periodontal disease.

Symptoms of gum disease

Gum disease is a silent disease, meaning that symptoms don’t always appear until it is in a more advanced stage. Some warning signs of periodontal disease include:

Gum recession
Mouth sores
Bleeding, especially while brushing or flossing
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Loose or separating teeth
Consistent bad breath
Changes in the bite

When you suspect that you have a gum infection, our periodontal specialists can evaluate your oral health to provide periodontal disease treatment.

Periodontal disease stages

There are four stages of periodontal disease that include:

Gingivitis: This first stage of periodontal disease is the only one where periodontal disease can be reversed. During this stage, the bone hasn’t been attacked yet. Bleeding gums is one of the earliest signs. An at-home oral hygiene routine, along with regular dental exams and routine dental cleanings, help treat it best.
Slight Periodontal Disease: The second stage of periodontal disease is not reversible, but can be managed. At this stage, the gum infection has spread to the bone. Scaling and root planing is used to deep clean the gums and to remove deep deposits of bacteria.
Moderate Periodontal Disease: The third stage of periodontal disease is more advanced as the infection has gotten deeper into the gums. We offer different periodontal disease treatments to clean the gums thoroughly and to clear your gum infection.
Advanced Periodontal Disease: The final stage of periodontal disease may require gum surgery. When left untreated, it can lead to gaps in the teeth, gum recession, and even tooth loss.

Ultimately, treating periodontal disease quickly is important to your oral health and maintaining a beautiful smile.

Periodontal treatment options

When our periodontal specialists at Premier Periodontics examine your gums, we can determine which gum disease treatment will work best for you in Bellevue, WA. The treatment chosen will be based on the severity and stage of the disease you’re at. Treating gum disease early helps us to minimize damage and decrease the need for more invasive surgical procedures

Some common periodontal treatments include:

Deep dental cleaning: During a deep dental cleaning, we remove all plaque or tartar from above and below the gumline. We usually recommend more frequent dental cleanings to ensure that your periodontal disease doesn’t advance any further.
Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical deep cleaning procedure performed while the patient is under local anesthesia. During this treatment, we scrape away all tartar and plaque. During the planing portion, we smooth the tooth root to help remove bacteria and offer a clean surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.
Flap Surgery/Pocket Reduction Surgery: For more advanced stages of periodontal disease, surgery may be needed. During flap surgery, the gums are lifted back so we can thoroughly remove all tartar. We then fit the gums snugly to reduce the space left between the gum and the tooth.
Bone Grafts: When bone loss occurs, bone grafts are needed. Our periodontal specialists can use parts of your own bone, or a synthetic bone, to replace deteriorated jawbone from periodontal disease.

Gum disease treatment recovery tips

Your recovery will depend on your health, how severe your periodontal disease is, and the treatment chosen. You can expect minor bleeding, tenderness, and discomfort after any surgery. However, it should resolve itself in a few days. We recommend that you refrain from smoking after periodontal disease as it can affect how your body heals. We may prescribe you a special mouth rinse or antibiotic after your surgery. Please use them properly for the best results. We recommend a soft food diet for at least a week after gum disease treatment.

Learn more about periodontal treatment in Bellevue, WA

When left untreated, periodontal disease continues to worsen, leading to the need for more invasive treatments. At Premier Periodontics, we work closely with our patients to ensure their oral health remains at its best. This is achieved with regular dental exams, routine dental cleanings, and an efficient oral hygiene routine from home. For more information on periodontal disease treatment and to schedule an appointment with our periodontal specialists at one of our convenient locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, and Redmond, WA, call our office today.