Periodontal Gum Disease Treatment
Peridontal (gum) disease affects millions of Americans, according to the American Dental Association, and research has shown that periodontal disease is linked to many other systemic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia. Maintaining your oral health is an important part overall health care. Fife Dental Care in Rio Rancho, NM provides periodontal care to effectively prevent and treat gum disease and to help keep you healthy.
Diagnosing Periodontal Disease
There are three stages of gum disease: mild (gingivitis), moderate and severe. Patients can have gingivitis, perhaps even moderate gum disease, without experiencing any symptoms, but as periodontal disease progresses, people usually notice the following signs:
- Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
Dr. Fife can diagnose periodontal disease at any stage by measuring gum pockets—spaces between surrounding gingival tissue and the tooth. As periodontal disease progresses, gum pockets get deeper, creating sites for bacterial infections.
Treating Periodontal Disease
Fife Dental Care provides periodontal care to prevent and treat gum disease. Our periodontal treatment includes deep teeth cleaning, also called root planing and scaling, which removes tartar (hardened plaque) from around the gum line to reduce or eliminate irritation to the gingival tissues. By preventing or controlling inflammation, we can help stop, in some cases even reverse, the progression of bacterial infection that could eventually affect underlying bone.
Periodontics from Your Rio Rancho, NM Family Dentist
Dr. Fife has years of experience helping people improve the appearance and health of their smiles. As a patient of Fife Dental Care, we can diagnose gum disease during your comprehensive dental exam and provide effective periodontal care in our office. Be proactive about your oral and overall health. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.