Periodontal Care
Longview, WA
 Periodontal care is a specialized field of preventative dentistry that focuses on gum health. The goal of periodontal care is to ensure that your gums are healthy and free from excess plaque. Our team at Cascade Dental Care provides excellent periodontal care to keep your gums functioning and feeling great.
We offer this care as part of a regularly scheduled dental exam and dental cleaning. During your cleaning, your gums will be inspected for any areas of concern. One of our professionals would then discuss any potential follow-up treatment needs with you. We strive to provide a pleasant and informative patient experience to optimize your dental health.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a serious condition that affects the health of your teeth and gums. This disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth combining with other materials and forming a layer on the teeth called plaque. Brushing is an effective way of removing this plaque build-up.
However, if you neglect to properly brush your teeth, this plaque can harden and become tartar. Regular brushing cannot remove tartar, but our professionals will during a cleaning. If left unchecked, the accumulation of tartar will ultimately lead to periodontal disease.
How Is Periodontal Disease Diagnosed?
During your visit you will be checked for signs of periodontal disease. The primary diagnostic method uses a small ruler, generally referred to as a probe. One of our team members will begin by taking measurements of the pockets around your teeth and notating the results. You may also receive imaging services such as an X-ray as part of the diagnosis.
A measurement of one to three millimeters is considered within a healthy range. Numbers higher than three millimeters are a sign of periodontal disease. If you have abnormal measurements, our team will discuss treatment options with you. These treatment options could be as simple as practicing better brushing and flossing habits, depending on your case.
Our team will also discuss potential risk factors with you, such as diabetes or smoking. Both can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease. They will provide resources to help you manage these risk factors and address your periodontal needs.
Why Do I Need Periodontal Care?
Periodontal care is one facet of preventative dental care. Periodontal care is provided during your cleaning and is key to preventing periodontal disease. While our team offers great treatment options for periodontal disease, prevention is the easiest and most cost-effective route.
Preventative periodontal care is important in detecting early warning signs of disease. You likely will not notice early signs of periodontal disease if you are not receiving regular dental exams. Nearly half of all Americans over the age of 30 already have periodontitis, which is an advanced form of periodontal disease.
If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, there are a number of treatments available to you. The treatments are primarily focused on infection control to prevent the condition from worsening, and to alleviate your symptoms.
Whether you are in need of preventative or restorative measures, our team at Cascade Dental Care can help. We can be reached at 360-916-4200 or you can stop in and meet our team. |
