Welcome to Washington Periodontics, where our periodontist and her team work diligently to ensure the health of your smile. Dr. Karapetian is an award-winning periodontist who provides several procedures to help your teeth and gums and offers dental implants. At our office in Burke, Virginia, you can get the necessary periodontal care to help you and your smile. 

So, do you want to know the secret to healthy, strong teeth? It’s not just brushing and flossing but proper gum care, too! Maintaining good oral hygiene isn’t just about brushing and flossing your teeth; it’s also about keeping your gums healthy. As we all know, dental issues such as cavities, plaque, and tartar can cause severe damage to your teeth. But did you know that gum diseases such as periodontitis can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, and other problems?

This article will cover periodontal care, the treatments we provide, and the benefits you can experience from ensuring proper gum care. 

What is Periodontal Care?

Periodontal care refers to preventing, diagnosing, and treating the condition around the teeth and gums. Gum disease is a common dental problem, and left untreated, it can cause tooth loss. The good news is that gum disease is preventable and manageable. Your day-to-day oral hygiene practices can make all the difference in avoiding gum disease! 

Best Practices for Periodontal Care

Professional Dental Cleaning: Besides ensuring proper brushing and caring for your smile at a professional dental cleaning, it is also beneficial to maintain healthy gums. A dental cleaning procedure removes the plaque buildup that forms over time. If we do not remove the plaque, it can harden into tartar and cause gum inflammation, leading to gum disease.

Diet and Lifestyle: Your diet and lifestyle choices also play a vital role in the health of your gums. A diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential vitamins and minerals to promote gum health. Smoking, on the other hand, can cause numerous health problems, including gum disease, as it weakens the immune system.

Dental Checkups: Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining good gum health. A professional periodontal evaluation helps detect any warning signs you may not be aware of. The symptoms of gum disease range from:

• Mild tenderness
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Severe pain
• Foul breath
• Tooth loss

If you notice gum disease signs, you should visit us immediately.

Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting

To understand bone and soft tissue grafting, it’s essential first to understand what a graft is. A graft is a dental term for a portion of tissue removed from one area of the body and transplanted to another. In dental terms, it usually means taking healthy tissue from one area of the mouth and transplanting it to another that needs tissue regeneration. There are two main categories of grafts: hard tissue grafts and soft tissue grafts.

Hard Tissue Grafts

Hard tissue grafts, as the name suggests, involve the replacement of the bone in an area deemed inadequate or too thin to support an implant. Such a graft consists of taking a portion of a patient’s bone, either from another location within the body or from a donor and transplanting it where needed. Once transplanted and healed, it provides a stable and strong foundation for a dental implant.

Soft Tissue Grafts

Soft tissue grafts, on the other hand, relate to the transplant of gum tissue to cover areas where gums have worn down or receded, exposing the tooth root, which can cause discomfort and an unappealing visual appearance. A soft tissue graft can also be performed to strengthen and protect the teeth.

Types of Soft Tissue Grafts

Various kinds of soft tissue grafts are typically performed regularly:

1. Connective Tissue Graft: A small piece of tissue is removed from the top of the mouth and sutured onto the affected area.

2. Free Gingival Grafts: In this procedure, a fine piece of epithelium is removed from the roof of the mouth and directly attached to the affected gum area. 

Bone grafting is, in most cases, a necessary procedure when part of the jawbone is gone, such as after tooth extraction or due to a progressive gum disease like periodontitis. We will place the graft underneath the gum tissue where the bone grows and growth establishes. Once healed, Dr. Karapetian can place implants to replace the natural tooth.

Advantages of Periodontal Care 

Gum disease is a common oral health problem ranging from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis. Left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and other health issues. Regular periodontal care by a dental professional can prevent and treat gum disease, keeping your teeth and gums in shape. It involves deep cleaning, scaling, root planing, and sometimes, surgery. Proper periodontal care allows you to enjoy a brighter, more confident smile and avoid the pain and discomfort caused by gum disease.

Periodontal care has several benefits beyond oral health. 

1. Overall Health: Studies have shown that gum disease is linked to higher risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and even certain cancers. Maintaining healthy gums can reduce the likelihood of these health issues. Also, periodontal care can improve your overall well-being by reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system. A healthy smile is a matter of beauty and a key to a long and happy life.
2. Healthy Smile: While regular periodontal care is necessary for everyone, some people may require more frequent or intensive care. These include smokers, diabetics, pregnant women, people with weak immune systems, and those with a family history of gum disease. Practicing good oral hygiene at home is essential, such as brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and using mouthwash. By keeping your teeth and gums clean between dental visits, you’re supporting the work of your dental professional.
3. Modern Technology: Periodontal care doesn’t have to be a painful or stressful experience. Dental professionals can provide gentle, effective, pain-free care with modern technology and techniques. They can also offer sedation options, such as laughing gas or oral sedation, to help you relax during the procedure. So, don’t let fear or anxiety prevent you from getting the care you need for your beautiful smile.
4. Prevents Bad Breath: Consistent periodontal care helps to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup, which are often responsible for bad breath or halitosis. Regular cleanings can help maintain fresh breath and a clean mouth.
5. Maintaining Your Smile’s Aesthetics: Healthy gums contribute to a beautiful smile. Regular periodontal care ensures that gums are free of inflammation or infection, thereby preserving the aesthetic appeal of your smile.

Periodontal Care in Burke, VA

You can ensure the health of your gums through proper periodontal care, from at-home treatments to procedures we provide in the office. Keeping your gums healthy and strong is a must if you want to maintain good oral health. With proper gum care and these periodontal treatments, you can protect your teeth from decay and other issues. So, follow good oral hygiene practices and visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. By doing so, you can achieve a healthy, vibrant smile.

If you are experiencing any typical symptoms of gum disease or are worried that you may develop it and want to ensure the health of your smile, please schedule an appointment with our periodontist today. You can guarantee a healthy smile for years through proper care and treatment.