Periodontal Treatments
Bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and wiggly teeth are easy to brush off as minor annoyances, but they often signal something more serious happening below the gumline. Gum disease is one of the most common oral health problems affecting adults today, and it tends to progress quietly until the damage becomes hard to reverse. The good news is that with the right care at the right time, healthy gums are very much within reach.
At Porche Dental Care, we help patients throughout Houma catch and treat gum problems before they threaten the teeth they support. Dr. Corey Porche and our team take a calm, straightforward approach to periodontal care, focusing on what your gums actually need rather than overwhelming you with jargon. If you have noticed early warning signs, learning how we approach gum disease is a smart first step toward protecting your smile for years to come.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place, and it develops in stages. It begins as gingivitis, a mild inflammation marked by red, swollen, or bleeding gums that responds well to professional cleaning and better home care. When gingivitis goes untreated, it can advance into periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that trap bacteria. Over time, this can break down the bone and connective tissue that anchor your teeth.
The condition is far more widespread than most people realize. Research from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research shows that more than 42 percent of adults aged 30 and older have some form of periodontitis. Because the early stages are often painless, many people do not know they have it until a dental professional points it out.
Signs To Look Out For
Your gums often give you clues long before a problem becomes severe, and knowing what to watch for can make a real difference. Common warning signs include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gums that look red, puffy, or tender
- Persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve with brushing
- A feeling that your teeth have shifted slightly
- Gums that appear to be receding, making teeth look longer
- Loose teeth or changes in how your bite feels
If any of these sound familiar, it is worth having us take a look sooner rather than later. Acting early keeps your options open and your treatment simpler.
How We Treat Gum Disease at Porche Dental Care
Our treatment always starts with a thorough evaluation so we can match the care to the stage of disease you are facing. For mild cases, a focus on consistent dental exams and cleanings may be enough to restore healthy gums and stop the problem from advancing. When the disease has progressed further, we turn to deeper, more targeted therapies designed to clear out infection and help your gums heal.
After your active treatment is complete, ongoing care is key to maintaining your results. We will work with you to build a maintenance schedule that fits your needs and keeps your gums in a stable, healthy place.
Why Early Periodontal Treatment Is Crucial
Gum disease does not just affect your mouth, and that is part of why we take it so seriously. Healthy gums protect the bone that supports your teeth, and losing that support is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Treating the problem early helps you avoid more invasive procedures down the road.
Strong gums also depend on a consistent routine of care. Pairing periodontal treatment with regular preventive care gives us the best chance of catching new issues before they grow. We also use visits as an opportunity for an oral cancer screening, so your overall oral health stays front and center every time you sit in our chair.
Schedule Your Periodontal Evaluation at Porche Dental Care
Your gums are the foundation of a healthy, confident smile, and they deserve attention before small problems turn into big ones. As a fee-for-service practice in Houma, we have the freedom to recommend the care that is genuinely right for you, never what an insurance company dictates. Patients appreciate the personal, unhurried experience that Dr. Corey Porche and our team bring to every appointment, whether you are managing early gingivitis or a more advanced case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Treatments
Is scaling and root planing painful?
Most patients are comfortable during scaling and root planing because local anesthesia is used to numb the area being treated. Some tenderness or sensitivity in the days following the procedure is normal and usually resolves on its own. We will walk you through what to expect and how to manage any post-treatment discomfort before you leave.
How many visits does periodontal treatment take?
It depends on the severity of the disease. Mild gingivitis may resolve after a single professional cleaning combined with improved home care. More advanced periodontitis typically requires scaling and root planing, which is often done in quadrants over two or more visits. After active treatment, most patients transition to a periodontal maintenance schedule of cleanings every three to four months.
Can gum disease come back after treatment?
Yes, which is why ongoing maintenance is so important. Gum disease is a chronic condition that can be controlled but not cured. Patients who complete active treatment and stick to their maintenance schedule have the best outcomes. Skipping maintenance visits allows bacteria to rebuild and the infection to return.
Does Porche Dental Care screen for oral cancer during periodontal visits?
Yes. We use every visit as an opportunity to conduct an oral cancer screening so your overall oral health stays front and center. This is part of our commitment to comprehensive care, not just treating the immediate problem in front of us.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a periodontal cleaning?
A standard cleaning, called a prophylaxis, is designed for patients with healthy gums and removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gumline. A periodontal cleaning, or scaling and root planing, goes significantly deeper to remove buildup from the pockets that form when gums pull away from the teeth. Periodontal patients also typically visit more frequently than the standard twice-yearly schedule.
Does Porche Dental Care accept insurance for periodontal treatment?
We work with your insurance to help you understand your benefits and maximize what your plan covers for periodontal care. As a fee-for-service practice, we are not locked into insurance-dictated treatment plans — we recommend what is genuinely right for your gum health. Contact our office before your visit and we will help you understand your options.
