Your gums do more than hold your teeth in place. They form the base of a healthy, confident smile. Periodontal care focuses on preventing and treating gum disease to protect your oral and overall health. At Legacy Dental Care in Boca Raton, FL, we offer personalized solutions to restore comfort, confidence, and lasting wellness. Schedule your visit today to take the first step toward healthier gums.
What Is Periodontics?
Periodontics is the area of dentistry that focuses on your gums and the bone structure that supports your teeth. These tissues play a vital role in keeping your smile stable and strong. Our periodontal services are designed to protect and restore these foundational elements.
- Focuses on gum health: Reinforces the tissues that secure and protect your teeth.
- Treats deep-rooted infection: Targets bacteria and inflammation beneath the gumline.
- Protects long-term stability: Prevents shifting, loosening, or loss of teeth over time.
The Link Between Periodontal Health & Overall Health
Your gum health has far-reaching effects on your body. Infections and inflammation in the gums have been linked to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Maintaining healthy gums helps protect your overall well-being.
- Lowers systemic health risks: Reduces links to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
- Protects your immune system: Blocks harmful oral bacteria from entering your bloodstream.
- Improves everyday wellness: Supports easier eating, clearer speech, and better confidence.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease begins when bacteria and plaque build up beneath the gums. If left untreated, it can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss. The good news is that early stages can often be managed with non-surgical care.
- Caused by bacteria buildup: Develops from plaque that slips below the gumline.
- Gets worse over time: Progresses quietly from mild inflammation to serious damage.
- Affects more than your mouth: Influences chewing, digestion, and your appearance.
Stages & Symptoms
Gum disease progresses in stages, starting with inflammation and advancing to bone and tooth loss. Symptoms may be subtle at first, but they become more obvious as the disease worsens. Being aware of these signs is the first step in protecting your smile.
- Gingivitis: Gums appear red, swollen, or may bleed when brushing or flossing.
- Early periodontitis: Gums begin to pull back from teeth, with bad breath or sensitivity.
- Advanced periodontitis: Teeth feel loose or shift, and infections or abscesses may develop.
Preventing Periodontal Disease
Preventing gum disease is simpler than treating it. Good daily habits and regular cleanings help stop issues before they start. We’re here to support you with guidance and preventative care.
- Brush and floss consistently: Disrupts daily plaque buildup before it hardens.
- See us regularly: Professional cleanings remove deep debris brushing cannot reach.
- Eat for your smile: Nutrient-rich foods and hydration help fight gum inflammation.
Our Periodontic Services
We offer a full suite of periodontal treatments tailored to your specific needs and stage of gum health. From preventive therapies to surgical solutions, our approach is designed to stop disease progression and rebuild what has been damaged. Whether you are managing early symptoms or facing more advanced concerns, we are here to restore your comfort, function, and confidence.
Scaling & Root Planing
This deep cleaning targets plaque and bacteria beneath the gumline. By smoothing the roots and removing buildup, it helps your gums reattach to the teeth. It is a non-surgical first step for treating gum disease.
- Disrupts bacteria below the surface: Clears out harmful buildup in gum pockets.
- Supports natural healing: Encourages reattachment between gums and tooth roots.
- Freshens your breath: Removes odor-causing bacteria linked to chronic bad breath.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be used with other treatments to help reduce gum infection. They are applied directly into the affected pockets to target bacteria at the source. This can improve outcomes and promote faster healing.
- Targets deep infection: Reaches bacteria that brushes and floss cannot access.
- Boosts other treatments: Complements cleanings to reduce inflammation faster.
- Minimizes discomfort: Helps reduce tenderness, swelling, and tissue breakdown.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy uses light energy to precisely remove diseased tissue and bacteria. It is a comfortable, efficient alternative to traditional gum surgery. Many patients heal faster with fewer side effects.
- Less invasive: Requires no incisions or stitches, making it more comfortable.
- Encourages regeneration: Stimulates healthy tissue growth for long-term healing.
- Speeds up recovery: Minimizes bleeding, swelling, and time off your routine.
Gum Surgery
Gum surgery may be needed when deep pockets and tissue damage cannot be managed non-surgically. It helps remove infection and reshape the gums to support long-term health. This procedure is done with your comfort in mind.
- Eliminates deep gum pockets: Makes oral hygiene more effective moving forward.
- Improves gum contour: Restores the natural shape and attachment of the gums.
- Helps protect long-term health: Prevents the spread of bacteria and bone loss.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting restores tissue that has been lost due to gum recession. It helps cover exposed roots, reduce sensitivity, and protect your teeth from further damage. A graft can also enhance the look of your smile.
- Covers exposed roots: Shields sensitive areas and prevents decay.
- Rebuilds the gumline: Restores fullness and symmetry to your smile.
- Protects teeth: Reinforces the barrier that keeps bacteria out.
Bone Grafting
If you have lost bone due to gum disease, a bone graft can help rebuild it. This strengthens the jaw and allows for future restorative procedures, such as implants. Bone grafting also helps maintain your facial structure.
- Restores bone volume: Replaces lost support caused by periodontal infection.
- Prepares for implants: Provides the foundation needed for secure placement.
- Maintains facial shape: Helps preserve a full, youthful appearance.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening exposes more of a tooth’s surface by adjusting the gums and sometimes the bone. It is often used to prepare for crowns or improve a “gummy” smile. This procedure also makes cleaning easier in some areas.
- Exposes more of the tooth: Allows for proper fit of restorations like crowns.
- Balances your smile: Creates a more proportioned look for aesthetics.
- Improves oral health access: Makes flossing and brushing more effective.
Stronger Gums, Brighter Days Ahead
Healthy gums do not just support your smile. They support your quality of life. At Legacy Dental Care in Boca Raton, FL, we are proud to offer expert periodontal care with a personal touch. Call today to schedule your consultation and take the next step toward stronger gums and lasting oral health.