Periodontal Disease

Experienced Gum Disease Treatment in Katy

It can be easy to forget just how crucial your gums are to your oral and overall health. That's why when you notice the signs of gum disease, you should get professional assistance as soon as possible. At West Houston Dentistry, we're proud to provide comprehensive gum disease treatment to Katy residents and those in its neighboring communities, including West Houston.

Whether you need scaling and root planing or antibiotic treatment, you can count on our dental practice. You can rest assured that Dr. Kavitha Rapolu and her staff will make your time with us as relaxing and comfortable as possible. Reach out to us today to schedule your next appointment and learn more about our gum infection treatment services!

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Common Signs of Gum Disease

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a unique infection of the tissue surrounding and supporting your teeth. Gum disease, if left without professional treatment, can lead to major tooth loss and jawbone deterioration. In its early stage, gum disease is called gingivitis, which is generally characterized by redness and inflammation around your gums. Gingivitis is easy to treat but can quickly progress to periodontitis without treatment.

Our dentist and her team are focused on identifying the signs of gum disease in its earliest stages and addressing it before it significantly impacts your smile and well-being. Given the complex nature of gum disease, we'll help you identify some of its signs, which include:

Excessive Plaque: Plaque is a thick bacteria film that forms on the surface of your teeth and gums. Although daily brushing and flossing removes a portion of plaque, it can quickly build up and harden on your teeth. Once it hardens, it can progress into tartar under your gum line, causing irritation and swollen gums.
Tobacco Use: Smoking, chewing, and consuming tobacco products can interfere with your gum tissue's cells and leave your smile vulnerable to developing periodontal disease. By eliminating tobacco use from your life, you can help keep your smile healthy and gum disease-free. We'll work with you to determine if tobacco is the primary contributor to your gum disease.
Shifting Hormones: If you become pregnant or experience monthly menstrual cycles, your body's hormones fluctuate. This fluctuation in hormones can make your smile vulnerable to developing periodontal disease. It's vital that you stay on top of your oral health routine to help address and prevent gum disease.

Our Effective Gum Infection Treatment Options

When you visit our dental office for the first time, Dr. Rapolu will begin by conducting an extensive oral exam. Using x-ray imaging technology, we'll look at your teeth, gums, and jawbones to gauge the extent of your gum disease and what types of treatment would be best for you. We'll also take the time to explain your Katy gum disease treatment plan so that you never feel like you're being left in the dark about our gum disease offerings. Our treatment options include, but are not limited to:

Scaling & Root Planing: This two-step procedure is a minimally invasive and non-surgical method of removing bacteria and plaque from below your gum line. Once our staff has removed the plaque, they'll then smooth the surface of your teeth to help your gums securely attach to your teeth and prevent future gum disease. Additionally, depending on the severity of your gum disease, we may recommend antibiotics to help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Antibiotic Treatment: Although scaling and root planing paired with maintenance cleanings are effective, the severity of your gum disease may be too much to approach without preparation. That's why we provide antibiotic treatment to help control your gum tissue inflation and make it easier to perform other types of gingivitis treatment.
Maintenance Cleanings: Periodontal maintenance is a dental cleaning procedure that's aimed at eliminating bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup that can cause and worsen periodontal disease. Normally, we book maintenance cleanings every 3-4 months, however, we recommend more frequent visits depending on the condition of your smile. During a maintenance cleaning, our team will evaluate your gums, perform scaling and root planing, and provide you with oral hygiene education.

Skilled Katy Gum Infection Treatment Services

At West Houston Dentistry, we provide skilled gum disease treatment to Katy families and those in its surrounding communities. No matter how severe your gum disease may appear, Dr. Rapolu and her experienced staff will work to address your symptoms and get to the root cause of your gum disease.

Over the year, we've improved our gum infection treatment offerings to range from root planing to maintenance cleanings. We look forward to meeting you and showing you just how beneficial our services can be. Call or visit our dental practice today to book your next appointment with our team and learn more about our various services!