Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal (Gum) Care in Katy, TX
A trip to the dentist means more than inspecting your teeth. Your gums have a significant impact on your dental and overall health. At Heritage Dental, we make it our mission to care for every aspect of your smile. With a commitment to your well-being and an eye for detail, we’ll provide you with high-quality gum care.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection within your gum tissue. It ranges in severity and is typically caused by poor dental habits, tobacco use, or chronic illness. Gingivitis is the more mild form of gum disease and typically causes inflammation and mild bleeding around the base of your teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis — a more severe form of gum disease that damages both the tissue and bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis often leads to tooth loss and damage to your overall health.
Signs of Periodontal Disease
If you notice any of the following, please schedule an appointment with our team as soon as possible.
Preventing Gum Disease
Maintaining an adequate at-home dental hygiene routine is essential to healthy gums. Brushing at least twice daily, flossing, and rinsing with an alcohol-free mouthwash is a good starting point. As always, attending your bi-annual cleanings at Heritage Dental is the most effective way to catch signs of gum disease.
Cost of Gum Disease Treatment
To make affordable gum care more accessible, we accept most dental insurance plans, CareCredit® patient financing, and we offer an exclusive dental savers plan for our uninsured patients. If you’re feeling uneasy about your cost of treatment, please speak with a member of our team about your financing options. We’re committed to making your care as stress-free as possible!
Gum Disease FAQs
How can I maintain periodontal disease care at home?
Once gingivitis progresses into periodontal disease, an appointment must be made with a dentist to have the teeth and gums assessed and a periodontal cleaning performed. Once this has been done, we strongly recommend establishing a thorough oral care routine at home that can be done at least twice per day. This includes brushing the teeth for two minutes, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Periodontal disease cannot be cured solely through home remedies, but scheduling regular dentist appointments and practicing comprehensive oral hygiene at home is imperative for keeping the teeth and gums clean and healthy.
How many times per year should I visit the dentist for periodontal care?
The general recommendation is that patients visit the dentist twice per year for dental cleanings and exams. For patients with periodontal disease, we may recommend scheduling three or four appointments with us throughout the year for extra cleanings as part of your treatment plan. When you attend your first appointment with our team, we can offer specific advice and make recommendations for how often you should be scheduling appointments. If you have any questions or concerns about the number of periodontal treatments that you will need, our team will be happy to help you.
What should I expect during a periodontal appointment?
Periodontal appointments involve two extra treatments called scaling and root planing. Scaling removes the plaque and tartar that has built up under the gum line and cleans out the periodontal pockets that have formed. Root planing involves smoothing out the tooth roots so the gums have an easier time reattaching to the teeth after the tartar has been removed. This process takes longer than a normal dental cleaning, so it is usually split up into multiple appointments for your convenience, and so your gums won’t feel too sore afterward.