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.
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.
