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Mark Gilbert Family Dentistry

Find the Smile You’ve Always Wanted

Periodontics

Periodontics is an area of dentistry that focuses on identifying, preventing, and treating periodontal, or gum diseases. Gum disease typically begins with gum inflammation, called gingivitis, and progresses into more serious issues from there, leading to pain, irritation, and even bleeding.

Occasionally, periodontal disease is more insidious, and shows no easily identified symptoms. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults in first-world countries, and every measure should be taken to treat it before it becomes severe.

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Periodontal disease can manifest itself in a variety of ways, all of which should receive attention before they worsen and begin to cause more serious problems, and eventually result in the actual loss of teeth.
Some of these warning signs of periodontal disease include:
  • Swollen, sensitive gums
  • Bleeding of gums
  • Gums that recede, or pull away from your teeth
  • Halitosis (bad breath)
  • Changes in the way your teeth fit when they bite
  • Loose or separating teeth
If you are suffering from any of these problems, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If your periodontal disease is caught quickly enough, Dr. Gilbert and his staff can keep your smile intact and healthy.

Oral Cancer

Studies show that oral cancer claims more than 8,000 lives in the United States each year. Annual oral cancer examinations are absolutely necessary to identify and treat this disease in its early stages, before it has the chance to develop into a truly deadly problem.

When oral cancer starts, it may not show any of the usual cancer symptoms, which makes a thorough examination all the more critical to identify it early on. Oral cancer comes in multiple forms, the most prevalent being squamous-cell carcinoma, or SCC. SCC appears most frequently in the tissue of the lips and mouth. A few other areas that oral cancer may commonly appear include the tongue, throat, gums, and face.

Scaling and Root Planing

Also known as non-surgical periodontal therapy, or deep cleaning, scaling and root planing is a periodontal procedure meant to clean out etiological agents, such as plaque and tartar, and is one of the most effective methods of preventing gum disease from developing and progressing.

It involves scaling, the process of removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, followed by root planing, the process of smoothing out the root below the gum line, and removing infected material. The procedure is usually performed when gums have receded from the teeth, or tartar has formed on the roots.

Dedicated to Providing Outstanding Dental Care
Mark W. Gilbert, DDS, and his friendly and highly trained staff are prepared to solve your dental problems, whatever their nature.

PH: 662-895-0100