Periodontal Services in Surrey
At Semiahmoo Dental, we are your one-stop destination for quality dental care services. We understand the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene, including gum health. That’s why we offer a range of periodontal services to keep your gums and teeth healthy. Our highly experienced team of dental professionals is dedicated to providing you with comprehensive periodontal care, from diagnosis to treatment and aftercare.
Our periodontal services include:
- Scaling and Root Planing: This deep cleaning procedure removes plaque and tartar buildup from underneath the gum line and smooths the tooth roots to promote healthy gum tissue growth.
- Periodontal Maintenance: Regular visits to monitor and maintain the health of your gum tissue and teeth can prevent and treat gum disease.
- Gum Grafting: This type of periodontal surgery replaces receded gum tissue with healthy tissue to protect your teeth from further damage. This can also be used to enhance the appearance of a high gum line, also known as a gummy smile.
- Dental Implants: A permanent solution to tooth loss, a dental implant acts as a tooth root. This is placed to hold a dental bridge or replacement tooth, both of which provide a natural-looking and functioning replacement.
Our clinic uses the latest technology and techniques to ensure your periodontal health is the best it can be. Schedule an appointment with us today to experience the difference.
Semiahmoo Dental Centre
Semiahmoo Dental Centre
Address: 1711 152 St #132, Surrey, BC V4A 4N3
Phone: (604) 536-6711
Fax: (604) 536-0748
Email: reception@semiahmoodental.ca
What Is Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a common condition affecting your gums and teeth. It is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the mouth that starts as plaque but, if left untreated, hardens into tartar. This buildup can lead to several oral health issues, including inflammation and infection of the gums. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage to your teeth and jawbone, leading to bone loss and other serious health problems. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is through regular dental checkups, cleanings, and good oral hygiene habits at home. Our dental clinic offers comprehensive periodontal care to help you maintain a healthy smile.
How Does Gum Disease Happen
Gum disease begins with the plaque which is bacteria that will form on your teeth every day. If plaque is not removed every day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus).
Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. Tartar can lead to an infection at the point where the gums attach to the teeth (called the “point of attachment”). In these early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. Your gums may be a bit red and bleed when you brush, but you may not notice anything.
As gingivitis gets worse, tiny pockets of infection form at the “point of attachment.” You cannot see them, but you may notice puffy gums, traces of blood on your toothbrush, or a change in the colour of your gums. Your gums will probably not be sore.
Over time, the infection breaks down the gum tissue that attaches to the teeth. This is called “attachment loss.” At this point, you will notice swelling, bleeding or colour changes in your gums.
Along with “attachment loss,” gum disease causes the bone that holds your teeth in place to break down too. If gum disease is not treated, teeth become loose and in danger of falling out.
Periodontal Treatment
Once your gums have been evaluated, we will advise you of the available treatments. Early gum disease is very treatable and often is simply a visit to one of our very skilled hygienists and a ramped-up home care program. Following the instructions of home-care carefully usually corrects the problem for most people. Following these instructions BEFORE the problem occurs almost always prevents gum disease from ever happening. If the damage is severe, you might need deep cleaning over several appointment, 3-monthly visits to the hygienist, gum surgery, or even extraction of the affected teeth. We see this too often, and would rather stress prevention rather than perform the significant treatments to try to correct a problem which is already there. In very severe cases, we may refer to a specialist. Occasionally this is necessary, and we want to ensure you get the best of care in or out of our dental clinic.
Checking Your Gums
Check your gums on a regular basis for these signs of gum disease:
- change in the colour of your gums
- gums that are red around your teeth
- gums that bleed every time you brush or floss. Bleeding while flossing is the most accurate way of finding a problem at home. Sometimes it is just an object caught between the teeth for a while that causes the bleeding, and damage can be avoided by flossing it out. If you have an object caught between the teeth, tie a knot in the floss, move it side to side, and pull it out. If it won’t come out, see us right away so we can remove it before it causes damage.
- bad breath that will not go away
- a taste of metal in your mouth
- shiny, puffy or sore gums
- teeth that are sensitive for no reason
These are all good reasons to see us right away. Gum disease is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth. But the good news is gum disease can almost always be prevented. If it starts, it can be treated and can even be turned around (or reversed) in its early stages.
If gum disease is not treated, you can have gums that are always sore, red and puffy, get a painful infection (called an abscess) in the area between your teeth and gums or lose your teeth. Without enough gum tissue and bone to hold your teeth in place, they can become loose and fall out.
Stages of Periodontitis: From Gum Disease to Advanced Periodontal Disease
Periodontitis is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss and other health problems. It has four stages, each with its own symptoms and treatment options.
- Gingivitis: In the early stages, patients may experience red, swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing. With proper care, gingivitis can usually be reversed.
- Early Periodontal Disease: In the second stage, the infection has spread beneath the gum line, causing the gum line to recede while deeper pockets form between the gums and teeth. Patients may notice bad breath, receding gums, and a change in how their teeth fit together. If not treated, some patients may experience bone loss.
- Moderate Periodontal Disease: In the third stage, the damage is more severe as the teeth will likely lose support and begin to loosen. Treatment involves scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar. Patients may also need antibiotics or surgery to address the infection.
- Advanced Periodontal Disease: In the fourth and final stage, patients may experience loss of all affected teeth, severe bone loss, and other health problems. Treatment at this stage may involve complex surgical procedures or tooth replacement options such as dental implants.
If you’re experiencing similar symptoms, seeking immediate care from a dental professional is essential. With successful treatment, we prevent further damage and restore your oral health.
What Kind of Procedures Does a Periodontist Perform
Our dental clinic offers a range of periodontal procedures and treatments performed by our highly skilled periodontists. Our team specializes in diagnosing and treating gum disease and other related conditions. We use state-of-the-art technology and advanced techniques to ensure a comfortable and effective treatment process. Our periodontal procedures include scaling and root planing, gum/ soft tissue grafts, dental implants, and periodontal maintenance. Our periodontist also treats gum recession, tooth loss, and bone loss. Schedule an appointment today to receive the highest quality periodontal care and maintain a healthy smile.
To Get More Information About Bleeding Gums and Gum Disease Book Your Appointment Today
Speak to one of our friendly patient coordinators to schedule you for a complete dental exam in our White Rock dental clinic. Let us help you regain your oral health so you may enjoy it for a lifetime. We also offer other dental services that you may wish to have us help you with. Call us today at (604) 536-6711.
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