Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection that affects not just your gums, but also the bone that supports and surrounds your teeth.
While our dentists can effectively treat gum disease in its early stages, its adverse effects – like bone loss – cannot be reversed. This is one of the reasons why we emphasize the importance of routine visits for dental cleanings and exams at our Lakeland, FL dental office.
Even if gum disease runs in your family, there are steps you can take to help lower your risks. Below, your dentist in Lakeland, FL, shares three tips.
It's essential to visit your dentist every six months for checkups and teeth cleanings. These visits lower your gum disease risk.
You should brush and floss your teeth after all meals or no less than twice daily to protect your smile and periodontal health.
Tobacco in all forms (including vaping) puts you at risk for many health conditions, including gum disease in Lakeland, FL.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, results from a progressive infection in the tissues surrounding your teeth, enclosing and protecting your tooth roots. The same bacteria which cause tooth decay are behind gum disease, and if you seek treatment early, the team at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland can cure your gum disease.
Then, if you stay true to a comprehensive oral hygiene routine, with at-home care and routine dental visits, you can remain gum disease-free for life.
Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease and is characterized by a few minor symptoms, which are:
At this stage, your condition is largely reversible, and treating it with a thorough professional dental cleaning in Lakeland, FL is usually sufficient. We also will offer advice on your brushing and flossing routine and schedule a follow-up to ensure your gum disease doesn't recur.
Periodontal disease in its advanced stage is called periodontitis. We can perform a deep cleaning at this point, but your gums will remain affected. We will want to see you immediately as treatment is necessary to prevent irreversible consequences, including:
Has it been a while since your last visit to the dentist in Lakeland, FL? Contact Quality Dental Care of Lakeland to book your next appointment with us!
Gum disease is a widespread problem that affects nearly half of US adults over the age of 30. One reason why it is so prevalent is that it often exists without showing any symptoms, so you may have a gum infection and not even realize it. We emphasize the necessity of preventive exams and cleanings because the earlier we find gum disease, the better the outcome your dentist in Lakeland, FL can provide.
Common signs of gum disease include:
If we find that you have gum disease during one of your exams, we will schedule a thorough dental cleaning to clear away the buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. We will also provide tips for stepping up your oral hygiene to support better gum health.
Gum disease that advances will require a deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing followed up by more frequent cleanings to get it under control. If you need a more advanced procedure to get gum disease under control, you will be happy to know that we offer the services of our on-site periodontist who can provide the gum disease treatment you need right here at our dentist office.
If you’ve noticed a change in your gums recently, please call Quality Dental Care of Lakeland at (863) 858-3891 to schedule your next dental exam & teeth cleaning in Lakeland, FL!
Quality Dental Care of Lakeland offers advanced general dentistry services, including periodontal (gum) disease prevention and treatment.
A deep dental cleaning, also known as scaling or root planing, helps patients with gum disease and gum recession. With these conditions, the gums are inflamed and pull away from the teeth, creating deep pockets where bacteria and plaque accumulate. As gum disease progresses, the space between the teeth and gums widens, which can weaken the tooth-supporting bones and lead to tooth loss.
During a deep cleaning in Lakeland, FL, your hygienist or dentist in Lakeland, FL uses a slender instrument to measure the depth of your gum pockets. They then clean plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from above and below the gumline, all the way down to the bottom of the gum pocket.
After cleaning, or scaling, your dentist then begins root planing, or smoothing the teeth roots. Root planing helps your gums re-adhere to your teeth so bacteria doesn’t collect in the pocket. Depending on the patient’s needs, scaling and root planing may take more than one dental visit to complete.
Caring for your gums is equally important as caring for your teeth. Without healthy gums, our teeth can break, shift, or even fall out. You can always depend on us for comprehensive periodontal care. Give Quality Dental Care of Lakeland a call today at (863) 858-3891 to schedule your next exam!
Gum disease is widespread, and nearly half of adults over the age of 30 have some level of gum disease. One of the reasons it’s so prevalent is that people may not have symptoms or may not realize that the symptom is related to gum disease.
Here are some signs to look for:
Dr. Mohammad Zaman, DDS, is our periodontist, a dental specialty that involves three years of training beyond dental school and deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease. He is also qualified to treat severe periodontal problems using a range of surgical procedures, including gum grafts or gum lifts.
To diagnose gum disease, Dr. Zaman looks for signs of gum recession, evaluates your dental bite, and checks for loose teeth. He also uses a small instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums that we refer to as periodontal pockets. If the depth of the pockets is greater than three millimeters, Dr. Zaman will recommend treatment to restore your gums to full health.
Dr. Vernon Smith is a native of Central Florida and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida in 2007. He went on to study at Nova Southeastern University ...
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and we can usually treat it with a thorough professional dental cleaning and a commitment on your part to practice excellent oral hygiene and follow through with routine appointments in the future.
Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis, and in this case, it’s imperative that we start treatment right away to prevent irreversible consequences, including:
It’s also well documented that chronic inflammations in your mouth contribute to serious disorders like heart and lung disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more.
[Dentist near me performing periodontal exam in Lakeland] Also referred to as deep cleaning, scaling and root planing is the first step in treating advanced gum disease.
During scaling and root planing, Dr. Zaman scrapes away plaque and tartar that has built up on your teeth and smoothes the roots of your teeth to eliminate spots where bacteria can hide and allow the gum tissue to reattach to your teeth.
Your comfort is of utmost importance to us, so we will numb the area that we’re treating so you won’t feel anything. Because of the time needed for this procedure, we will break the process down into two separate appointments.
A few weeks after treatment, we will have you return to our office to evaluate how your gums responded to the deep cleaning. If necessary, Dr. Zaman will discuss the need for advanced treatment like gum surgery to restore your oral health.
After treatment, we will have you return to our office every three or four months to check on your progress until your gums are restored to full health.
If you have noticed a change in your gums recently or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please call Quality Dental Care at (863) 858-3891 to arrange an appointment with one of our Lakeland, FL dentists.
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