Gum Disease Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria build up on your teeth and gums, causing your gums to become red and swollen. Unfortunately, almost 70% of Americans are affected by periodontal disease.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Red and swollen gums. The disease may not be visible to the untrained eye, but periodontal disease is an ongoing, degenerative infection of the teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.

Periodontal infections produce toxins, and these toxins—combined with the body's reaction to them—destroy the bone around your teeth. Bone that is lost never grows back. If too much bone is lost, teeth get loose and have to be removed.

Periodontal Disease Associated with Heart Disease

Periodontal infections can also enter your bloodstream and cause even more dangerous infections in other parts of your body. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (also called heart disease). And one study found that the presence of common problems in the mouth, including gum disease (gingivitis), cavities, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels.

The wise and healthy choice is to treat your periodontal disease before it becomes too serious. The disease will not go away on it's own.

Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Dr. Goff will gently and meticulously remove the plaque and tartar around and beneath your gumline, and then smooth the root surfaces. This will remove the source of infection and help your gums heal and tighten around your teeth.

Then Dr. Goff will place antibacterial medication directly into the pockets to sterilize and kill any remaining bacteria.

We recommend an ongoing program of three-month recare for periodontal patients. Regular periodontal maintenance visits can prevent harmful bacteria from re-establishing themselves in your gums, greatly reducing the harm caused by periodontal infection.

Dr. Goff will also teach you some simple steps you can take at home to help maintain your gums in their natural healthy state!