The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 47 percent of US adults have some level of periodontal disease. Unfortunately, periodontal disease can result in tooth loss.

However, it is highly preventable with proper home care and professional dental cleanings. This is why we focus on prevention and early treatment when we notice warning signs, which include:

• Bleeding gums
• Gum recession
• Bad breath
• Tooth mobility
• Pain when cleaning teeth
• Red, swollen gums

Research has shown a connection between oral health and systemic health, and our goal is to help patients become healthier overall.

Periodontal disease has been linked to:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Certain types of cancers
• Alzheimer's disease

Treatment for gum disease improves your oral health and supports optimum overall health.

If your dentist discovers gum disease early in the gingivitis stage, it is much easier to treat and reverse compared with periodontitis. However, gingivitis symptoms can be subtle, so it is important to visit your dentist for checkups and an early diagnosis. 

Additionally, if you notice oral health changes between your six-month checkup and cleaning, including bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, reach out to our dental team for a gingivitis consultation. 

Diagnosing Periodontal Disease

Treatment depends on how advanced the infection in your gums has become. We provide a complete periodontal evaluation in Humble, TX, for each patient in our practice.

Our hygienist will measure the pockets between your teeth and gums. Healthy gums hug the teeth snugly, which prevents food particles and bacteria from collecting beneath the gums. As an infection develops, the gums become inflamed and pull away from the teeth. This creates a prime environment for bacteria and food to further irritate gum tissue. Soon, an infection develops that will damage tissues and cause your bone to deteriorate, destabilizing the very foundation of your teeth.

If you’re diagnosed with gingivitis, we’ll do whatever we can to restore your gum health and help you maintain a healthy smile for a lifetime.

We do that by providing a three-pronged treatment approach to our patients in Humble and the surrounding areas.

Scaling and Root Planing (The Deep Cleaning) 

The first step in this process is to remove stubborn plaque and tartar from your teeth. Then, we smooth your tooth’s surfaces so your gums can reattach more easily.

Localized Antibiotic Therapy 

If necessary, we’ll use antibiotic gels or rinses to deliver medication inside your periodontal pockets. These medications kill bacteria and help control infection.

Periodontal Maintenance Program 

We may ask you to visit us more frequently for dental cleanings after treatment; this can help prevent gum disease from returning and maintain good oral health.

Good Home Care

To keep your oral health on track, good home care in between dental cleanings is essential. This requires a commitment on your part:

• Brushing teeth twice daily using proper techniques
• Flossing each tooth – both sides and behind back teeth
• Rinsing with antibiotic rinses recommended by Dr. Appel
• Keeping the tongue clear of bacteria by brushing or scraping

A healthy diet will also support good gum health. We are happy to discuss all the ways you can have healthy gums, fresh breath, and a smile you feel proud of.

The Humble Dentistry Difference: Technology and Comfort

If you need gum disease treatment in Humble, we’d love to invite you to experience the Humble Dentistry difference! We use a gentle hand and the latest technological advancements to keep you comfortable and restore your smile to its former glory.

Please reach out to our experienced dental team for more information or to schedule an appointment.