Periodontal Care in Southfield, MI
Prioritize Your Gum Health
Properly caring for your gums is essential for achieving and maintaining pristine oral health. When bacteria from your teeth penetrate your gums, an infection known as periodontal disease can develop. If you suffer from periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, Dr. Daniels-Dixon offers treatments to help reverse its effects and get your gum health back on track.
Learn all you need to know about gum disease and the treatments we offer to both prevent and treat the condition at Dixon Family Dental.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is an infection that develops in your gum tissue due to insufficient oral hygiene. When plaque begins to build up, it hardens into tartar — which is almost impossible to remove without a professional cleaning. If tartar doesn’t get removed, it can lead to gum disease.
There are three stages of periodontal disease:
- Gingivitis: This is the earliest stage of gum disease where the infection can be easily treated with a thorough deep cleaning at our Southfield dental office. During this stage, you may notice your gums becoming red and inflamed. When treated promptly, gingivitis can be reversed without any lasting effects.
- Periodontitis: When gingivitis is left untreated, it develops into periodontitis as the infection spreads from the gums to the jawbone. You’ll notice that your gums start receding to form pockets, making it easier for bacteria to build up. Without treatment, periodontitis can cause severe pain and other health complications.
- Advanced Periodontitis: Without treatment, your gums will continue to recede further. This causes the pockets to deepen and harbor more infection. During this stage, your teeth may loosen and eventually fall out.
Gum Disease Symptoms
If you’re suffering from the early stages of gum disease, you may not notice any symptoms. However, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as you experience any of the following signs:
- Red and swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gum line
- Persistent bad breath
- Painful or tender gums, especially when chewing
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Widening gaps between teeth
- Sensitive teeth
If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact our Southfield office at (248) 552-0223 so we can schedule your appointment.
The Risk Factors of Gum Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in Americans and is among the most common oral health conditions. You may be at a higher risk if you don’t properly care for your oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, routinely flossing, and visiting your dentist twice a year.
In addition, the following factors may increase your risk of developing periodontal disease:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Severe, consistent stress
- Medications that reduce saliva production
- Certain health conditions, like cancer or AIDS
- Genetics — a family history of gum disease
Periodontal Disease Treatments
At Dixon Family Dental, we want our patients to enjoy the benefits of healthy gums and smiles. Dr. Daniels-Dixon offers personalized periodontal disease treatments to ensure all cases can be efficiently resolved.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a professional deep cleaning method used for patients suffering from mild to moderate gum disease. During these cleanings, Dr. Daniels-Dixon will use an ultrasonic dental tool to thoroughly clean your gums and remove build-ups of plaque and tartar.
We’ll smooth out any rough surfaces of the tooth and roots to prevent bacteria from settling on the freshly sanitized area. This will provide a healthy and clean surface that promotes gum reattachment.
ARESTIN® Gum Therapy
In addition to a deep cleaning, ARESTIN may be applied to help ward off any bacteria and stop further infection. ARESTIN is designed to reduce the pocket depth of your gum tissue, decreasing the amount of bacteria in your mouth. We’ll apply it directly to the pockets between your gums and teeth. This treatment will fight your infection for about two weeks, helping restore your oral health.
Periodontal Treatment Aftercare
We want you to get the most out of your treatment. Dr. Daniels-Dixon provides some tips to follow and information on what to expect after a periodontal cleaning:
- Don’t eat anything until the numbness/local anesthetic wears off
- Avoid acidic, sugary, and chewy foods
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce any discomfort
- Take any medications as prescribed
- Rinse with saltwater
- Some swelling or discomfort is normal
- Minor bleeding is normal
Frequently Asked Questions
Periodontal care refers to both the maintenance of your gum health at home and the treatments we use to thoroughly clean your teeth. Maintenance is crucial, as it helps prevent periodontal disease from developing and spreading. To achieve great gum health, we recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting our Southfield office once every six months for regular cleanings and checkups.
Following a deep cleaning, any swelling or discomfort should subside within a couple of weeks. The time will vary from patient to patient, depending on the extent of their infection. To promote gum healing and keep your mouth free of bacteria, you’ll want to follow any instructions given to you by Dr. Daniels-Dixon and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. We also recommend using over-the-counter pain medications to ease any discomfort or swelling you may experience after a deep cleaning.
There are endless options when it comes to choosing a mouthwash. However, there are two antibacterial types of mouthwash that we recommend here at Dixon Family Dental: Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Mouthwash and Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield.
By using mouthwash just once a day after brushing your teeth, you can stay protected against plaque and gum disease. Mouthwash is most effective when paired with regular teeth brushing and flossing, as well as routine dental visits twice a year.
When caught early on, gum disease can be cured with professional deep cleanings combined with excellent oral hygiene practices. But once the infection has progressed into periodontitis, the gums and bone become damaged and can lead to lifelong oral health effects.
Fortunately, you can improve your oral health and decrease your risk of developing infections by brushing twice a day, flossing routinely, and rinsing between meals. In addition to practicing an at-home oral hygiene routine, you’ll want to visit our Southfield, MI dental office at least once every six months for regular cleanings and checkups. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (248) 552-0223.
Get the Care You Need at Dixon Family Dental
No matter what condition your gums may be in, our dental team is here to help. Get the periodontal care you need to protect your smile at Dixon Family Dental. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our gum disease treatment solutions, call our Southfield office at (248) 552-0223. You can also get in touch by filling out our online contact form, and one of our team members will get back to you shortly.