Periodontal Treatment in St. Louis

Ballas Dental provides periodontal treatment in St. Louis, MO. Call 314-432-5544 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Your gums play a critical role in your overall oral health because they are the foundation and support for your teeth. Without healthy gums, you can’t have healthy teeth, which is why it’s important to take a proactive approach to gum disease. When you come to our office for your comprehensive evaluations and dental cleanings, we also assess your periodontal health and look for early signs of gum disease.

Before you have gum disease, you have gingivitis. This condition causes your gums to become red and swollen, and they may also bleed when you brush or floss. Because there is little discomfort at this stage, it might not even occur to you that anything is wrong until your dentist or hygienist points it out to you.

As gum disease progresses, the infection begins to attack the supporting structures of the teeth and can cause a toothache or tooth pain. When the gum tissue pulls away from the roots of your teeth, periodontal pockets form where plaque and tartar collect, which can lead to the destruction of the jawbone. Left untreated, gum disease can eventually cause your teeth to shift, loosen, or even fall out.

Because gum disease is an active infection, it causes bad breath, inflammation, and discharge. Another common symptom of periodontitis is gum recession, which leaves the roots of your teeth sensitive and vulnerable to decay.

When treated early, gum disease is completely reversible. A simple treatment called scaling and root planing cleans the periodontal pockets and smooths the roots of the teeth to help the gums reattach. At Ballas Dental Care, we use soft tissue lasers for gum disease treatment, which makes the procedure more effective and comfortable for our patients.

Gum disease that has advanced beyond its early stages can still be treated, but it may have caused permanent damage to your teeth and gums that requires additional treatments like soft tissue grafts, bone regeneration, or dental implants.

Can you get rid of gum disease?

Yes, gum disease can be treated and, in its early stages, it can be reversed before it causes any lasting damage to your gums, jawbone, and teeth.

What does gum disease look like?

The visual signs of gum disease include gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily. A sign of more advanced gum disease is gum recession.

How can I get my gums healthy again?

Gum disease can’t be treated at home, so your first step is to get the dental care you need and follow all of the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist. Then, brush for two minutes twice a day, floss between all of your teeth at least once a day, and visit the dentist every six months for dental cleanings.

Can receded gums grow back?

No, if your gums have receded, they will not grow back even after your gum disease is resolved. You’ll need gum grafts to replace the gum tissue that was lost.

Can antibiotics cure gum disease?

Antibiotics may be used in conjunction with our other treatments, but antibiotics alone won’t cure gum disease.

Call 314-432-5544 to schedule an appointment.