Healthy Gums, Healthy Mouth!

Periodontal Therapy

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is something you may not hear much about, but it’s more common than cavities — they seem to get all the dental glory! And, gum disease is no laughing matter — it is the leading cause of tooth loss and is also a key indicator of other health problems including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Relaxed Restorative Dentistry Patient

How does gum disease start? You can blame plaque. It’s a sticky film that is formed from a combination of sugars and starches that mix with saliva and bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria feed on the sugars you eat and leave behind what’s called acidic waste, destroying tooth enamel and irritating your gums, causing swelling, redness, and bleeding. When left unbrushed, it hardens and forms into tartar which cannot be treated at home.

Do I Have Gum Disease?

Gum disease is something that can be easily identified during your regular bi-annual teeth cleanings. There are two stages of gum disease — gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, may be identified by the following:

  • Swollen, red or inflamed gums
  • Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
  • Persistent bad breath

If gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, it can cause permanent damage that includes:

  • Receding gums
  • Pockets of pus between teeth and gums
  • Discomfort when chewing
  • Shifting or loose teeth
  • Tooth loss

Get Treated

If you feel like you have signs of gum disease, don’t wait to call us. We can help diagnose and create a custom plan to treat your symptoms and save your oral health before it’s too late. Our treatment options include:

Scaling and Root Planing

This is a dental deep cleaning where our team will gently clear away plaque and tartar deposits from above and below your gum line and smooth out the rough surfaces on the roots of your teeth. This makes it more difficult for bacteria to reattach to them, significantly decreasing your likelihood of developing gum disease in the future.

Antibiotic Therapy

This therapy may be recommended in conjunction with scaling and root planing, particularly if your gum disease has reached the advanced stages. For this, we apply a topical antibiotic during your deep cleaning to kill any remaining bacteria. We might also prescribe an antibiotic in pill form for you to take for the next few days as a precaution.

Soft Tissue Laser

This treatment utilizes a highly concentrated beam of light to instantly evaporate plaque and tartar in and around your gums. The light is so accurate that it will only affect the infected tissue, leaving your healthy gums alone. Laser dentistry not only ensures your procedure will be comfortable, but also that you’ll have a speedy recovery.

Let Our Patients Do the Talking

We are committed to you and your oral health. Why? Because we’re community members, too — your friends and neighbors — and we know that better oral health means a stronger, healthier community. But, don’t take our word for it — hear it straight from our patients:

“Such a pleasant experience!”

“I have been a patient of Dr. Rodgers for about 10 years now and it always is a pleasant experience. This visit was very much the same.”

— Denise W.

“10 Years and Counting!”

“As always, Betty, my dental hygienist gave me a wonderful cleaning, and entertained me with conversation.”

— Linda C.

“Dr. Meredith is hilarious!”

“Dr. Meredith is hilarious! She is extremely knowledgeable, but also genuine, fun and funny. She explains everything in simple terms so you don’t feel talked at instead of talked to like you do with some docs.”

— J.S.

“Great Experience!”

“Amazing, informed staff. State of the art equipment. Great experience!”

— Bonnie M.

“I have been going to this practice for 10 years.”

“I have been going to this practice for 10 years. I have always found Dr. Rodgers to be very friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. I have started going to his new dentist, Meredith Hughes, and I like her very much.”

— Anonymous

“She’s fun to talk to”

“Dr. Meredith Hughes is a great addition to practice! She is gentle, and performs the procedure with calm and confidence. Plus, she’s fun to talk to!”

— Judy L.

“Always a good experience.”

“Always a good experience. Every procedure is done in a timely and efficient manner.”

— Shirley W.

“She gives me options and let’s me decide.”

“I have started going to his new dentist, Meredith Hughes, and I like her very much. Instead of forcing treatments on me, she gives me options and lets me decide. I liked it very much when she said, ‘I’m in the business of saving teeth.’ I have told my friends about her, and at least one of them wanted her address and phone number.”

— Linda C.

“Great doc, people & place.”

“Great doc, people & place. Friendly and professional, as it should be. I highly recommend!”

— T.C.

“I will return!”

“Staff was very nice! I will return!”

— Libby A.