Periodontal Care
in Abilene

Letting your oral health slip is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately, developing gingivitis or gum disease happens to the best of us. We’re here to help get you back on track.

Do I really need periodontal care?

If you suspect that you may need periodontal care, there’s no time like the present to protect your smile and preserve your natural tooth structure. Periodontitis can have damaging effects. In fact, in some severe cases, patients can even end up losing teeth. If you notice any symptoms such as inflamed or bleeding gums, it’s important to seek intervention as soon as possible.

Did you know…

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When caught early, gingivitis can be treatable and reversible.

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Guided Biofilm Therapy

Experience a deeper clean with our Guided Biofilm Therapy for all periodontal and preventative appointments. Our air polisher utilizes an antimicrobial powder to effectively remove biofilm and stains.

Supportive Post-Treatment Therapies

Our periodontal care excels in providing tailored post-treatment support, including antibiotics, special rinses, and other medications, ensuring personalized and closely monitored follow-up care. We also offer targeted bacterial testing to precisely address the bacteria causing periodontal disease.

OralDNA Microbial Testing

OralDNA testing is a valuable early diagnosis tool. With a quick salivary sample, we can screen for hidden oral pathogens that could be threatening your oral and whole-body health.

The Benefits of Periodontal Care

Restore Your Health

With early intervention, periodontal treatment can reverse the effects of gingivitis and restore your smile to its natural health.

Prevent Further Damage

Regular periodontal maintenance helps keep your smile healthy and free from the harmful buildup of plaque and bacteria.

Save Money

Periodontal care helps you avoid more costly, invasive procedures such as gum grafts, tooth extractions, and dental implants.

The Deep Cleaning Process

Local Anesthetic

First, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during your treatment. Deep cleanings may cause more sensitivity for patients than regular dental cleanings, but you’ll be comfortable throughout the procedure thanks to our gentle numbing techniques.

Scaling & Root Planing

Next, your hygienist will use special tools to “scale” tartar and plaque from between your teeth and below your gum line. The goal is to remove the harmful bacteria that causes gum disease. Then, once your teeth and gums have been cleaned, your hygienist will “plane,” or smooth, the roots of your teeth. This process eliminates the pockets and pits that form below the roots of your teeth which harbor harmful bacteria.

Antibiotic Treatment

A healing antibiotic treatment will complete your deep cleaning. Depending on your individual needs, you may receive topical antibiotics that are applied to gums during treatment, an antibiotic rinse that you can use at home, or a prescription antibiotic that will be taken orally.

Before & Afters

A smile is worth 1,000 words.

See real patient success stories.
Periodontal CarePreventive Dentistry

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.

What are the stages of gum disease?

Gum disease is commonly split into three different stages. The first stage is called gingivitis. In this stage, there is usually no permanent damage to your teeth or gums yet. This means your dentist will likely be able to reverse and eliminate gum disease with proper care. Common symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding when brushing, inflamed and discolored gums, and chronic bad breath.

If left to worsen, gingivitis will advance to the second stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis. This stage of gum disease is unfortunately not reversible, but can be controlled with proper intervention. Symptoms of periodontitis usually include gum recession, increased sensitivity or sore teeth and gums, excessive gum bleeding, and very swollen or puffy gums.

The final stage is advanced periodontitis. In this stage, permanent damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw bone occurs. Common symptoms include pus forming between the teeth and gums, shifting of the teeth, changes in your bite, or the loosening of one or more teeth. Surgical intervention is usually necessary to treat advanced periodontitis. In very severe cases, your teeth may even need to be extracted and replaced with a dental prosthetic like dentures or dental implants.

Is gum disease contagious?

Gum disease is not contagious but it is communicable. It is caused by an overload in unhealthy bacteria in the mouth. Each person has good bacteria, moderate risk bacteria and high risk bacteria. This bacteria can be passed from one person to another by sharing utensils, straws, or kissing. When one person in a family or relationship has gum disease, there is a high probability that others in the family will also. Factors such as poor oral hygiene and systemic medical conditions (such as high blood pressure and diabetes) play a role in whether or not a person with the high risk bacteria will develop gum disease.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by large quantities of bacteria flourishing in the mouth. This can be caused be caused by poor oral hygiene and other systemic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and total body dysbiosis. Failing to brush and floss properly or having adverse systemic factors allows the bacteria that are present in your mouth to reproduce and form plaque and tartar between your teeth and your gums. Over time, these bacteria begin to attack and infect your gum tissue. Left untreated, this infection can result in permanent, irreversible damage to your oral health unless you seek out proper treatment.

Some patients are also genetically predisposed to developing gum disease. This is why it is important to discuss with your doctor if there is a history of gum disease in your family. You and your doctor will work together to employ the best at-home care and in-office treatments to protect against it.

Why do I need antibiotics?

Periodontal disease forms when there is inflammation in the gums. This inflammation can lead to infection caused by an abundance of harmful oral bacteria. Your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics to help kill and control this harmful bacteria, allowing your gums to heal. If you are prescribed antibiotics to help control your periodontal disease, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions to a tee to ensure the harmful bacteria is eradicated. If you fail to complete the full prescription of antibiotics, the bacteria could become resistant to subsequent treatments with the medication.

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