Periodontal Care in Leawood

As emerging studies show the connection between your mouth and your overall health and well-being, the team at Dental 133 understands that there has never been a more important time to take charge of your oral health.
We now know that periodontal (gum) disease is related to other health issues in the body, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. This is why we screen for gum disease at every cleaning and checkup appointment.

Gum disease is essentially an infection of the soft tissues and bone that surround your teeth.
It starts when excessive plaque or calculus (tartar) buildup causes your gums to separate from your teeth, which allows harmful bacteria below the gum line. The bacteria cause the infection, and if left untreated, the infection will begin to destroy your bone and soft tissues, eliminating the support system for your teeth.
Did you know that periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in American adults?

This is the reversible early stage of gum disease in which you may notice that your gums are red and swollen, they may bleed when you brush your teeth, and you could have chronic bad breath that you can’t get rid of. These are all early indicators of periodontal disease, and it’s important to be proactive if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
When you come in for your cleaning at Dental 133, one of our highly skilled hygienists will remove the plaque and calculus buildup that causes gingivitis. With improved home care, you should be able to successfully prevent your gingivitis from progressing to periodontitis in the future.

This is the advanced stage of gum disease in which irreversible damage starts to occur. Periodontitis requires a much deeper cleaning that reaches below the gum line to remove the harmful bacteria associated with plaque and tartar buildup. Depending on the severity of your case, Dr. Engelmann may recommend antibiotic therapy or gum surgery if necessary, both of which can be performed in our office.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the gum and bone loss associated with periodontal disease. With assistance from our hygienists during maintenance cleaning visits and improvements to your home care routine, you’ll be able to successfully prevent future bone and gum loss. We’re here to help you maintain healthy teeth for life, and Dr. Engelmann will evaluate and discuss with you what’s necessary to keep your gum disease under control.
If it’s time for your regular cleaning and checkup appointment or you’ve noticed some of the early signs of gum disease, we encourage you to call us today and schedule your next dental appointment.