At Smith Family Dentistry, we take pride in being your go-to dentist in Charleston, WV. Our friendly, expert doctors and staff are committed to providing quality, individualized dental care for patients of all ages. We also pride ourselves on offering a wide range of oral health care services, from early care and general treatment to cosmetic dentistry and periodontics.

But what is periodontics and why is it an important part of dental care? Read on to learn some of the advantages and disadvantages of periodontal therapy.

WHAT IS PERIODONTICS?

Periodontics, also referred to as periodontal therapy, is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on the gum tissue. Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is a common dental hygiene issue that can quickly increase in severity if not caught and addressed promptly.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can spread through the gum tissue down to your jaw bone and can cause irritated and bleeding gums, tooth loss, and in the most severe cases, bone damage.

ADVANTAGES OF PERIODONTICS

There are many advantages to choosing periodontal therapy, your health and wellness being the most important. However, there are other benefits to consider:

• A healthy, beautiful smile - Your gums play an imperative role in the health and appearance of your teeth.
• Fresher breath - a common symptom of periodontal disease is halitosis, or bad breath, due to the plaque and bacteria that can build up along inadequately cared for gum lines
• Removing tartar - Tartar is a hard deposit that can build up above and below your gum lines when they aren’t properly cared for and if not treated can lead to serious gum disease.
• Early detection - A visit with your trusted provider of periodontal therapy in Charleston, WV can help determine if you have other oral health issues, and if caught early will likely require less serious treatment.

DISADVANTAGES OF PERIODONTICS

As with any medical or dental procedure, there are some small disadvantages of periodontal therapy. Most of the risk associated with periodontics lies within the possibility of infection following your treatment - although this risk still exists should you require treatment and not seek it, allowing gum disease to advance in severity. Other small disadvantages such as pain or soreness following treatment are extremely minor and easily addressed when compared to the many health issues that can be a result of neglected gums.

YOUR TRUSTED DENTIST IN CHARLESTON, WV

If you think you may need periodontal therapy, Charleston, WV’s Smith Family Dentistry is here to help! Good oral health is an important part of your overall health and wellness, so don’t wait until your gums have already experienced serious damage from gum disease. Contact Smith Family Dentistry today to learn more about the services we offer and to schedule a visit with us today!