Welcome to
Gulfside Periodontics

Customers Reviews

What to Expect on Your First Visit

There is no need for you to fear your visit to Gulfside Periodontics. We promise your visit will be pain-free with our caring dental and periodontal specialists.

You can expect that your diagnostic examination will take approximately an hour and a half. We will first take a thorough medical history and review your dental records. Then, Dr. Carter will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums for problems or concerns such as bleeding, swelling, signs of infection, loose and missing teeth, receding gums, and other criteria. He will examine your bite, measure to determine bone loss, make a note of any damaged or lost teeth, and when his examination concludes, will consult with you to ensure you understand your diagnosis as well as your relevant treatment options. You are encouraged to voice any questions you may have. X-rays are possible at this visit.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

See What Our Patients Are Saying!

Are Bleeding Gums Serious? What is Periodontitis?

Healthy gums support stable teeth and strong bites. Gums that bleed as a result of inflammation are indicative of a serious condition known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is a specific infection of the gums. Unchecked, periodontitis leads to lost teeth as the infection attacks not only the gums, but their underlying support structures, too. Sometimes the bone of the jaw itself is threatened.

Periodontitis is serious because it potentially threatens far more than just one’s teeth. If the bacteria that fuels periodontitis leaks into your bloodstream as often happens, it gains the ability to free-travel throughout your body, and is apt to attack anywhere. Your heart, circulatory system, and digestive tract may be particularly vulnerable. Your oral health is important, not just to your appearance, but your health in general. Without treatment, periodontitis can help pave the way for several life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and bacterial attacks on the heart itself.

Procedures

We at Gulfside Periodontics take pride in staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in Periodontics. Some of the primary services we currently offer include:

Cleaning and Prevention:

Most people see their dentist once or twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning (prophylaxis). Regular dental checkups are a proven means of preventing dental problems as well as catching them early. As important as these visits are to the average person, they are even more imperative for those actively engaged in battling periodontal disease. Many professionals recommend patients be seen quarterly to maintain their forward progress. Dental prophylaxis removes the plaque beneath the line of your gums before it starts to erode their attachment to your teeth. Depending upon individual need, it may be that you will need other of our services such as tooth scaling, root planing, and you may wish to take advantage of the opportunity to have a regular oral cancer screening.

Dental Prophylaxis

Dental prophylaxis removes plaque from beneath your gum line before it can damage the gum’s attachment to the teeth. Other services are available according to individual need and include such procedures such as tooth scaling, root planing, and oral cancer screening.

Pocket Reduction Surgery:

Pocket reduction surgery refers to those procedures designed to reduce or eliminate the pocketing that occurs when your gums separate from your teeth, creating “pockets” in which bacteria thrive and multiply causing tissue damage as well as the loss of both bones and teeth.

Hard Tissue Regeneration:

Hard tissue refers to bone, which can is restorable through a process called guided tissue regeneration. The biggest concern people have when considering dental implants is surprisingly not the cost of dental implants but whether they’ll be good candidates for this treatment. Bone regeneration ensures that there is an adequate amount of stable bone to secure the implant.

Soft Tissue Regeneration:

Healthy gingiva, or gums, are supposed to adhere firmly to the teeth they support, protecting sensitive roots. Gums that adhere too much and come too far down on your teeth may make your smile appear as much gum as teeth. They protect the roots of your teeth from trauma, changes in temperature, and bacteria. Trouble starts when your gingiva starts to recede. Gum recession frequently leads to even worse problems. A gingival graft transfers small amounts of gingival tissue from other areas of the oral cavity and grafts it to restore missing gum tissue. The exposed root is protected and gives that tissue time to regenerate on its own, protecting the exposed root.

Sedation Dentistry:

Many people are fearful of experiencing pain in their mouths and for that reason, and perhaps because of painful childhood experiences, many people only visit the dentist when they have no other option. At Gulfside Periodontics, we know that there is no need for anyone to ever fear treatment at our practice. We believe that every patient has the right to comfortable treatment, and that includes freedom from anxiety regarding pain as well as what some call “dental chair phobias.” We offer more than one type of sedation dentistry including IV Sedation as well as Oral Sedation. Feel free to discuss any concerns you might have and to ask how much does sedation dentistry cost with any of our friendly associates. Working together, our team will help you find the option that suits you best, ensures your comfort, and leads to treatment success.

Bite Adjustment:

Not all people are born with perfect bites, and many so blessed still are apt to end up needing to have their bite adjusted in one way or another to avoid further problems and complications later. TMJ, braces, stress-response habits affecting the teeth such as grinding and clenching, as well as other factors alter our bites in ways that cause our teeth to meet poorly. Don’t suffer needlessly as chances are there is a bite adjustment possible to make your bite feel comfortable once more. Dr. Carter can ease points of pressure between the biting surfaces of your teeth by subtly reshaping them or altering their position. Each person’s needs are unique and therefore requires an individualized treatment plan.

Dental Implants:

At one point in time you might have had little choice but to choose between wearing dentures or sacrificing your appearance as well as your ability to chew and speak clearly. Today, there are additional choices, such as dental implants that go directly into your jaw and permit the attachment of artificial teeth that will function as normal teeth. Dental implant technology is changing rapidly, so be sure to ask Dr. Carter which options are best suited for you. Whether you need one tooth or a whole set, chances are there is an implant solution that will measurably improve the quality of your life. You’ll look and sound normal and be able to eat anything you desire, which is rarely the case with dentures. Furthermore, your facial features will continue to look as they always have and won’t deteriorate from lack of support.

Healthy gums support healthy teeth which in turn support a healthy body. The number one reason for lost teeth in adults is gum disease. We can help you avoid being one of those statistics.

Dental Care You Can Rely On

Dr. Carter and his staff make it their mission each day to provide Ocean Springs area residents with the best periodontal care possible. They do this through up-to-date equipment as well as with regular training in cutting-edge assessment and diagnostic techniques, patient treatment, and more. We view you as our friends and neighbors, and like to treat you as such. It is our pleasure to offer dental care you can rely upon, care that is delivered by a genuinely compassionate team in a supportive, compassionate, cheerful environment. Look no further than Gulfside Periodontics, located right here in Ocean Springs, MS, to find a periodontics practice that’s second to none. Learn more about our periodontists’ approach to care here, or learn more about what we do and why dental health is important on our blog.