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Periodontics Specialist

Smiles By Design

John M. Garcia, DDS

Dentist located in Weston, FL

Good periodontal care starts with prevention, including regular teeth cleaning at Smiles By Design in Weston, Florida. Dr. John M. Garcia can treat periodontal disease very effectively, and in many cases, surgery isn't required. Non-surgical periodontal care includes tartar removal, smoothing of tooth/root surfaces, placement of antibiotics in the exact area where they're needed.

Periodontics Q & A

What are the signs of periodontal disease?

Some of the signs of periodontal disease include:

  • Red gums or swollen gums
  • Tenderness in the gums
  • Any type of mouth pain
  • Bleeding when brushing or flossing
  • Gums that are receding
  • Gums that gap away from the teeth
  • Pus between the teeth and the gums
  • Mouth sores
  • Chronic bad breath
  • A difference in the way that the teeth fit together when biting down
  • A shift in the fit of dentures or other removable oral appliances

Who should be checked for periodontal disease?

Everyone should be checked for periodontal disease on a regular basis. At Smiles By Design, Dr. Garcia will check for periodontal disease during a routine dental check-up. This allows for the earliest diagnosis and the fastest treatment.

Why does periodontal disease happen?

Periodontal disease can occur for many different reasons. It's caused by bacteria, but the bacteria isn't transmitted the same way that a cold or the flu is. The bacteria that naturally live within the mouth become imbalanced with periodontal disease, causing the bad bacteria to overtake the healthy bacteria. There may be a genetic connection with periodontal disease. Poor oral health habits can also result in periodontal disease.

Can brushing prevent periodontal disease?

Brushing can do a great deal to prevent periodontal disease, but it must be done thoroughly and daily. Daily flossing also plays a vital role in keeping the bacteria at bay. People who practice good oral healthcare may not be able to avoid periodontal disease 100% of the time, but they're far more likely to avoid it than people who brush sporadically and ignore flossing.

What is the treatment for periodontal disease?

There are several ways to approach the treatment of periodontal disease. Some of these are surgical, but thanks to recent advances in the world of dentistry non-surgical periodontics are now possible. At Smiles By Design, a combined approach of tartar removal, smoothing tooth and root surfaces, medicinal irrigation of the treated areas, and direct antibiotic placement has proven to be quite effective in treating periodontal disease, especially if it's caught in the earlier stages.

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