What is Periodontitis?

A major concern for patients is periodontitis. It’s a serious form of gum disease that often leads to tooth loss when it isn’t remedied quickly. gum diseaseThere are clear signs of periodontitis that shouldn’t be ignored, including loosening pockets, bad breath, and bleeding gums. Learn more about periodontitis and how it can be treated by periodontist Dr. F. Neal Pylant, in Athens, GA.

What Is Periodontitis?
Gum disease is an oral health problem that affects a significant number of American adults and seniors. It can progress to a condition called advanced periodontitis. The gums weaken and detach from the teeth due to the proliferation of bad bacteria. Once gum disease becomes periodontitis, it’s crucial to have it treated with aggressive periodontal therapies if you want to save your smile. 

What Causes It?
Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of periodontitis. Patients who fail to brush their teeth regularly and floss daily are most susceptible to it. As food and germ particles build up around the gumline, this combination turns into plaque and tartar, which is full of bad bacteria. Some patients are more prone to developing periodontitis due to genetics or family history.

How Is Periodontitis Treated Successfully?
Gum disease is best treated when it is caught by your Athens-area periodontist in its earliest stages. However, there are treatments that can help advanced periodontitis. Here are some of the most common solutions:

- Scaling and root planing to remove plaque build-up.
- Periodontal laser surgery to get to the root of the problem and eliminate bad tissue.
- Gum grafting surgery for receding gums.
- Dental implants when a tooth replacement is needed.
- Changing your diet for the better, avoiding tobacco products, and flossing daily.

Get Help with Gum Disease
Close to 50 percent of American adults have a problem with gum disease according to the CDC. When gum disease gets to the point where it is diagnosed as periodontitis, it needs to be treated quickly and efficiently. Call 706-543-0026 today to schedule an appointment for periodontal therapy with Dr. F. Neal Pylant at his office in Athens, GA.

Contact Us

F. Neal Pylant, D.M.D., P.C.

Scott Lowry, D.M.D.

706-543-0026

375 Hawthorne Lane Athens, GA 30606-2153