Take Action Early to Save Your Teeth & Gums

Gum disease can sneak up on you if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s important to schedule dental cleanings and exams every six months to check for gum disease and other oral problems. If your dentist sees signs of gum problems, they may recommend you come to us for treatment. Of course, you can also visit us without a referral. Our periodontists can:

• Deep clean around and below your gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria
• Recontour your gumline to make your teeth and gums more attractive and balanced
• Restore your confidence to smile openly and confidently
• Give you tips and advice on how to brush, floss, and care for your gums going forward

If you’ve been told you have gum disease or think you might have it, call High Plains Periodontics and Implant Dentistry today at 806-507-6906 for an appointment. We can help you recover your healthy smile!

Know When to Seek Professional Help From a Periodontist

Periodontal disease begins when toxins found in plaque start to attack the gingival tissue surrounding the teeth. The bacteria rapidly reproduces, causing an infection. As the infection progresses, it gets deeper into the tissue and causes inflammation or irritation between the teeth and gums. Your body’s responds by destroying the infected tissue. This is why your gums appear to recede. The resulting pockets between the teeth deepen. If no treatment is received, the tissue which makes up the jawbone recedes too, causing unstable teeth and tooth loss.

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, you need to schedule an appointment with us ASAP:

• Bleeding While Eating or Brushing – Unexplained bleeding while consuming food or when cleaning your teeth is one of the most common signs of periodontal infection.
• Bad Breath – Another symptom is continued halitosis (bad breath), which persists even when a rigorous oral hygiene program is in place.
• Loose Teeth and Gum Recession – Teeth that look longer than before can signal recession of the gums and bone loss due to periodontal disease. As the disease progresses and attacks the jawbone, your teeth may become loose or even come out.
• Gangrene in the Tissues – Gangrene is hard to self-diagnose, but your general dentist and our periodontist will check for its presence in the soft tissues, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament.
• Related Health Conditions – Heart disease, diabetes, osteopenia, and osteoporosis are conditions that are highly correlated with periodontitis and periodontal infections. The bacterial infection can spread through your bloodstream and affect other parts of the body.

Now that you know when to see a periodontist, call High Plains Periodontics and Implant Dentistry today at 806-507-6906 to schedule a consultation in in Lubbock. You can also make an appointment online.