Periodontal refers to the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth: your gums. Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning refers to when the dentist or periodontist treats the gum disease by providing more regular dental cleanings. Dentists used to send patients specifically to a periodontist for gum disease, but Dr. Tyson Pickett, DDS FAGD and his team at Pickett Family Dental are well trained and experienced at resolving gum disease at any stage.
If you believe you’re suffering from periodontal disease, then schedule an appointment with the best dentist in Keller, TX to provide the proper level of care and maintenance to prevent further damage to your mouth, teeth, and gums.
The 4 Stages of Gum Disease
There are 4 stages of gum disease with progressively worse symptoms:
- Gingivitis – This is the only stage of periodontal disease that is reversible and involves the buildup of plaque and tartar around the tooth.
- Slight Periodontal Disease – This is the second stage of periodontal disease and while it can’t be reversed, it can be managed. The infection has spread to the bone and begins its bone destroying process with the bacteria attacking the tissue more aggressively causing further bone degradation. Swelling and redness with bad breath occur at this point.
- Moderate Periodontal Disease – This is the third stage of periodontal disease where the infection has reached 6-7 mm underneath the gums and requires consistent scaling and root planing to prevent further damage. This will lead to bone and tooth loss, gum sensitivity, increased bleeding, and the shifting of teeth over time if left untreated.
- Advanced Periodontal Disease – At the final stage of periodontal disease, the infection deepens further into the tissue and you run a 50% – 90% risk of bone loss. Gums will swell more noticeably and ooze pus. Teeth loosen and painful chewing occurs along with severe halitosis.
Periodontal Maintenance vs Regular Cleaning
Regular dental cleaning is known as prophylaxis cleaning in dentistry. Prophylaxis meaning to prevent disease. This is the kind of dental cleaning that most of our regular patients receive at Pickett Family Dental in Keller next to Keller Town Square. Periodontal Maintenance would translate to gum disease maintenance. At this point, gum disease has already taken root and needs to be consistently removed and prevented until it ceases to return.
