subject: Treat Periodontal Disease With An Expert Dentist In The Woodlands, Texas [print this page] If you have periodontal disease, you're not alone. The condition is shared by many adults across the country. Treating periodontal disease doesn't have to require a long journey, though, when there's a quality dentist in The Woodlands, Texas -- Dr. Johnny Taylor. Dr. Taylor has been a practicing dentist in the Woodlands, Texas for many years, and in his 29 years as a DDS has developed a practice that combines state-of-the-art technology with compassionate care. Treating periodontal disease is just one of Dr. Taylor's focus areas.
What is periodontal disease? When the bacteria in our mouths causes inflammation of the gums, that condition is called "gingivitis,"a mild form of gum disease. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily, but the condition can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist in The Woodlands dental care Center, or a skilled dental hygienist. Gingivitis may sound scary, but it doesn't affect the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
If left untreated, however, gingivitis can become more serious and lead to periodontitis, which means "inflammation around the tooth." Periodontitis causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. The body's immune system tries its hardest to fight the bacteria, but with so much plaque, it quickly spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's natural immune response begin attacking everything surrounding the infection, and may even start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth get destroyed and must be removed.
Treating periodontal disease involves the dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist removing the excess plaque through deep-cleaning methods called scaling -- to scrape tartar from the gum line -- and root planing to smooth rough spots on the tooth's root where germs gather. In some high-tech dental offices, a laser may be used to remove plaque and tartar which can decrease bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. Don't let periodontal disease attack your smile -- make sure you're brushing and flossing regularly, and getting Houston dental work to head off periodontal disease before it starts.
