Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Terry Billings on Periodontal Disease
Dr. Terry Billings is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Periodontal Disease.
Q. What is periodontal (gum) disease?
A. An infection of the tissues and bones that surround the teeth. There are 2 stages of gum disease. Stage 1 –Gingivitis is when only the gums and tissue are inflamed or infected.
Stage 2-Periodontitis is more involved and serious. This is when the disease spreads below the gums, forming pockets for bacteria to grow and damage the bone that supports the teeth. When this happens, teeth may become loose, fall out or need to be removed by a dentist.
Q. What are the signs of periodontal (gum) disease?
A. Signs of periodontal disease
Bad taste in mouth
Bad breathe, that won’t go away
Red, swollen or tender gums
Bleeding gums
Loose teeth
Pain when chewing
Pus around the teeth or gums
Calculus (brown, hard deposits on tooth surfaces)
Q. Who gets periodontal disease?
A. Generally, those people who haven’t had a professional check up in a long time. The disease is not only for senior citizens. It can attack at any age.
Q. How does one know if I have gum disease?
A. The dentist or dental hygienists, will do a thorough examination, including taking a complete series of x-rays to evaluate the bone and/or bone loss.
Q. What do I do if I think I have gum disease?
A. Schedule an appointment with the dentist/dental hygienists for exam and x-rays. In the meantime, increase your dental hygiene by brushing, flossing and rinsing more frequently.
Q. What treatments are needed?
A. That depends on the extent of your condition. The dentist or dental hygienists will evaluate your condition. If able to treat at our office without the need for surgery, a procedure called root planning and scaling will be performed. During this procedure the plaque and tartar build up above and below the gum line is removed. In some cases it is necessary and recommended to have a set up custom trays made to wear, that hold a prescribed medication, called perio-protect.
Q. Who is a periodontist?
A. Periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease.
Q. How to contact Dr. Billings if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
3101 7th Street
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: (504) 832-2222
Fax: (504) 832-2111
E-mail:terrybillings@ymail.com
Website:http://www.tjbillingsdds.com/
