Why is Periodontal Management Therapy with
Merrimack Smiles Important?
Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your gums—it can also impact your overall health. Untreated gum disease has been linked to several systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. By addressing gum disease early, we help you protect not only your oral health but also your overall well-being.
We are proud to provide periodontal management therapy to patients in Merrimack, NH, and surrounding communities, helping them maintain healthy gums and teeth for life.
What is Periodontal Management Therapy?
Periodontal management therapy treats and manages gum disease (periodontal disease). This condition occurs when bacteria in your mouth form plaque, which can lead to inflammation, infection, and eventual damage to the gums and bone that support your teeth.
At Merrimack Smiles, we believe in proactive, preventative care, and periodontal management therapy is a key part of that. We offer personalized treatment plans that address the stage of gum disease you’re experiencing, whether it’s early gingivitis or more advanced periodontitis.
After your treatment which will remove the affected tissue and stop the disease process, routine periodontal management therapy is necessary to prevent the buildup of bacteria and maintain your dental and overall health.
Signs You May Need Periodontal Management Therapy
If you experience any of the following signs, it may be time to see us for a periodontal evaluation:
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession (teeth appearing longer)
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pain while chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, we encourage you to schedule a periodontal evaluation with us as soon as possible.
What happens during my periodontal management therapy visits?
- We review your medications, health conditions, and allergies to understand how they relate to your dental and overall health.
- Discuss Your Concerns and Questions: We encourage you to share any questions or concerns about your dental health and smile.
- Take Vital Signs: We monitor your vital signs, like blood pressure, and discuss any changes that could indicate a health concern.
- Update X-rays: X-rays help us evaluate your jawbone and tooth structures below the gumline.
- Update Photographs: We capture updated images of your mouth to monitor any changes over time.
- Disease Screening: We examine your face, neck, and oral tissues for any unusual areas that may indicate a health issue, such as cancer.
- Periodontal Evaluation: We thoroughly examine your gums, looking for signs of disease such as inflammation, bleeding, or gum recession.
- Periodontal Management Therapy: Using specialized tools we will professionally remove the build-up of bacteria from your teeth above the gumline, and in the deeper spaces under your gums that you cannot clean at home.
- Oral Cavity Evaluation: We check your teeth for signs of decay, damage, or other conditions that could impact your dental health.
- Doctors’ Evaluation: After reviewing your diagnostic information and historical records, our doctors will discuss their findings and answer your questions.
- Oral Care Recommendations: We review your home care routine and recommend ways to maintain a healthy mouth between visits.
What is the difference between periodontal management therapy and routine dental cleanings?
The main difference between periodontal managemetn theray and routine dental cleanings lies in their purpose.
Routine dental cleanings are designed to be preventative dental care. Its purpose is to keep gum disease and tooth decay from developing in a healthy mouth. During a routine cleaning, a dental professional will clean your teeth above the gumline and in harder-to-reach areas, removing plaque, tartar, and stains before bacteria have the chance to cause damage.
Periodontal Management Therapy is a prescribed soft tissue management program designed to manage and maintain the stable condition of your dental health after being diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease. Since periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that form in your mouth daily, there is no complete cure, but it can be effectively managed through regular therapy and diligent home care.
Schedule Your Periodontal Management Therapy Today
Don’t wait for gum disease to worsen—protect your smile and health with periodontal management therapy at Merrimack Smiles. Reserve your appointment today!
Why Choose Merrimack Smiles?
At Merrimack Smiles, Doctors Mark S. Morris, Julia F. Kapala, and Catherine G. Cagino aim to change how patients view dentistry. They focus on providing proactive preventative family dental care, striving to eliminate unexpected worries and improve health to enhance the everyday lives of our patients. At Merrimack Smiles, we treat more than just teeth; we care for people, creating an environment where they feel heard, respected, and valued.
By empowering our patients through education and helping them understand their dental health and options, we ensure our patients feel informed and confident in the decisions they make regarding their care. We aspire to change how our patients perceive dentistry by providing proactive preventative care that eliminates unexpected worries and enhances their everyday lives.
As the only B Corp-certified dental office in Northern New England, we dedicate ourselves to the health and betterment of our community. We conduct business with a focus on people and place, implementing best practices in governance and sustainability to create positive impacts that extend beyond our practice’s doors.
At Merrimack Smiles, we do things differently. Experience the difference. Come smile with us!
