Houston, TX area dentist describes periodontitis

Periodontitis is a serious concern for Houston, TX area patients. This condition can have a negative effect on the health, beauty, and function of the smile. The dentists at Vivid Dental work hard to educate patients on the ways in which they can care for their smiles and reduce their risk of periodontitis and tooth decay.

Periodontal disease starts as gingivitis. This stage of the disease is easy to reverse. It is characterized by problems such as bleeding, inflamed, red gums, and persistent bad breath. When patients take action at this time, they can undergo a thorough cleaning to remove the bacteria, plaque, and tartar that can wreak havoc on the health of the smile. This can assist in reversing the condition and bring the smile back to health. Gingivitis is curable and patients should be well aware of the signs to catch it early and seek professional assistance.

If left untreated, gingivitis can worsen and advance to periodontitis. Periodontitis continues to break down the bones and gum tissue. Pockets may develop between the gums and the teeth, which can harbor bacteria, plaque, and tartar which can continue to eat away at the teeth, causing decay and even resulting in the loss of natural teeth due to the loss of stability from the bone. At this point, the condition cannot be cured, only controlled, so we encourage patients to see their dentist as soon as they notice a concern. The earlier the condition is addressed, the better the outcome. Patients should not wait until the problem becomes severe and irreversible.

Early intervention is key to addressing periodontal disease. The team of Vivid Dental is here to help patients of all ages in maintaining their oral health while also providing many methods of restoration and beautification with cosmetic dentistry. Contacting our practice is the first step to taking control of your oral health, and we encourage new patients and families to schedule an initial examination and consultation visit with our dedicated staff.