Periodontal Therapy in Odessa: Fighting Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults today, as well as a prime contributing factor that’s been linked through research to overall health conditions like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and more. Here in Odessa, Dr. Steve W. Cobb understands the connection between oral health and overall health very intimately, and he and the rest of our team will work with you to not only treat your periodontal disease, but also help prevent further re-occurrences. Patients from Big Spring, TX and other nearby areas are encouraged to contact us today to schedule their first appointment.

What is Periodontal Disease?

When bacteria is allowed to accumulate near the gum line, the body will initially try to fight it off by creating inflammation in the gums – this redness, tenderness, and swelling can be telltale indicators for the presence of periodontal disease. If the condition is left untreated for too long, the infection can then become destructive in nature, eating away at the soft tissue and bone that provides crucial support for your teeth.

What Are Other Signs of Periodontal Disease?

In addition to redness and swelling, you may also notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss. This is not a sign to stop! On the contrary, bleeding means that you need to follow a more stringent oral hygiene routine at home in order to remove the plaque where bacteria hide.

If plaque is left to fester, then it hardens and becomes tartar. Now, bacteria are locked in place and begin to cause further damage. You may notice:

• Bad breath
• A sour taste in your mouth
• Pus between your teeth
• Receding gums
• Shifting teeth or ill-fitting dentures

If proper treatment is not sought, tooth extraction may be unavoidable as bone weakens to the point that it can no longer support your teeth.

What Kind of Periodontal Treatment is Needed?

Our recommendation for your level of periodontal therapy will depend on the severity of your condition. The following options are available:

• Scaling & Root Planing – During this treatment, all of the plaque, bacteria, toxins and tartar are removed from your teeth both above and below the gum line. Root planing smoothes all of the rough areas on root surfaces. Once the surfaces are smooth, bacterial plaque cannot adhere as easily under the gum line. This allows your gums to heal and reattach to your teeth.
• Soft Tissue Laser Treatment – Our advanced diode laser is the ideal tool for treating and removing diseased gum tissue. With a laser, our team can precisely treat your infection while also preserving the integrity of healthy tissue, minimizing bleeding, and significantly improving recovery time. No general anesthetic is needed; the procedure is less invasive so bleeding and swelling are reduced; and the recovery and healing times are shorter.
• Antibiotic Therapy – This option can be used in conjunction with the above methods or on its own. Our goal is to target specific types of dangerous bacteria and minimize resurgences so that periodontal disease is kept safely under control. Like many types of infection, periodontal disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics.