Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease

The word periodontal means “around the tooth”. Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.

Not only is it the number one reason for tooth loss, research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Researchers are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affect these systemic diseases and conditions. Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease.

Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:

  • Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.
  • Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).
  • New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.
  • Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
  • Pus around the teeth and gums – Sign that there is an infection present.
  • Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.
  • Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.
  • Tenderness or Discomfort – Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.

Related Services:

Digital X-Rays

Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan.

Root Canal

A root canal, also called endodontic treatment or therapy is a dental procedure to help save a tooth with inflamed or infected pulp tissue. If you are having pain while chewing, swollen gums, or sensitivity, you may need this procedure.

Invisalign

Teeth Cleaning

At Gamble & Kingry Family Dentistry, we believe that getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

Emergency Dentistry

You never know when a dental emergency will happen. Thankfully, Gamble & Kingry Family Dentistry is Ashford’s most trusted Dental Emergency team. We have a team of dental experts to serve you.

Periodontal Disease

The word periodontal means “around the tooth”. Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva.

Oral Hygiene Aids

Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining excellent oral hygiene and diagnosing potential problems, but they are not a “fix-all” solution. Thorough oral homecare routines should be practiced on a daily basis to avoid future dental problems.

Home Care

A beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime is our ultimate goal when treating patients. Your personal home care plays an important role in achieving that goal.

How To Properly Brush & Floss

Brushing and flossing are of paramount importance to oral hygiene. Though bi-annual professional dental cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and debris, excellent homecare methods are equally valuable.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all foods and water supplies. The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations.

Oral Cancer Screening

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign of a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer.

Dental Bridges

A safe, low-risk way to replace one or more missing teeth. Natural teeth or dental implants can be used as anchors to support the suspended replacement teeth.

Dental Crowns

Decay or trauma can cause loss of tooth structure and can compromise function as well as esthetics. Extensive loss of tooth structure can best be replaced with a restoration that covers your entire tooth as in a crown. This “full coverage” restoration can strengthen your tooth and in the hands of an expert can provide a long-lasting esthetic and functional result.

Dental Exams And Cleanings

There are two parts to your Gamble & Kingry Family dental visit – examination and cleaning. Your exam will check for cavities, plaque, and tartar on your teeth.

Dental Sealants

Sealants are a thin, protective coating that bonds to the surface of your teeth. When properly applied, sealants can help prevent cavities.

Dentures

If you have lost most or all of your teeth, wearing dentures can be a difficult experience. Worrying about loose or painful dentures can be a drain on your patience and your health. Dental Implant supported dentures made by a specialist in Prosthodontics can change your life?

Extractions

While many of us do our best to keep our teeth healthy, sometimes a tooth needs to be taken out to keep you healthy. In these cases, an extraction is necessary.

Fillings

Dental fillings are the most conservative way to restore smaller areas of tooth decay. In a dental experts hand, these types of restorations can be made to conserve as much of your natural tooth as possible while providing a restoration that is almost indistinguishable from the natural tooth. Both resin and porcelain fillings can be adhesively bonded to your natural tooth to add strength.

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical endodontic treatment. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and involves opening the crown of the tooth, exposing the roots and pulp of the tooth. When the pulp and root is exposed the infected areas of the tooth are removed.

Teeth Whitening

Let our team help you determine what whitening process is right for you, based on the current color and condition of your teeth.

Veneers

A wafer-thin glass shell that can be bonded to the front of your teeth to mask their shape, color, or size. The highest quality veneers are made individually by hand and are hard to distinguish from natural teeth. veneers can be used to remarkably transform the smile of patients who have worn, chipped, or discolored teeth. Slightly crooked teeth can be straightened as well. Hand-made porcelain veneers are typically very translucent and when bonded to your teeth they are very lifelike.