Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an exceedingly common condition. Currently, in the United States, more than 50% of adults have a case of gum disease. Whether minor or severe, seeking care from your dentist ensures the condition doesn’t worsen.
We firmly believe that providing quality treatment means providing safe, comfortable, and professional care. We do so in a variety of ways ranging from sedation to our advanced dental technology.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease is an infection and swelling of the soft tissues in your gums or gingiva. Furthermore, gingiva disease can progress to the point that infection spreads to your jawbones. In drastic cases, this can lead to tooth loss. For these reasons, regular check-ups and proper hygienic routines are so important.
Signs of infection may include:
Bloodied or swollen gingiva
Reddened and sensitive gums
Halitosis (bad breath)
Shifted or loosened teeth
Sudden or noticeable change in your biting
Non-Surgical Solutions
Our office prefers non-surgical procedures if and when possible. Most of the time, these are more than enough to reverse the damage, assuming proper daily brushing and flossing. However, if you require care, here are your possible treatments.
Care Starts at Home
As mentioned above, brushing and flossing are crucial to overall oral wellness. A single brushing session should last two minutes. In those two minutes, brush in circular patterns, be gentle (on teeth and gums), brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Doing so will ensure you clear most of the bacteria ad particles. This happens twice a day, morning and night.
Secondly is flossing. Even though your brush for four minutes a day, that’s not enough. Chances are food particles, tartar, and plaque are still hiding in the hard-to-reach places. By flossing, you can dislodge all buildup or harmful particles trapped between your teeth, where toothbrushes can reach.
Scaling and Root Planing
This is our go-to solution and one which is non-invasive and very effective. We will use an ultrasonic device to break up and remove tartar beneath your gum line. Doing so will decrease swelling and set you on the path to recovery.
Antibiotic Therapy
Prescriptions are an effective way of combating disease-causing bacteria. One such disease is gingivitis, which is a minor form of gum disease. Ensure your care provider of any allergies, as those with penicillin sensitivities, cannot receive some antibiotics.
Looking for Periodontal Treatment?
With gum disease being so prevalent, we have vast experience dealing with the ranging severities. We encourage you to set an appointment, especially if you haven’t in a while, to make sure you’re in peak health.