What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that develops when plaque and tartar are left on your teeth for too long. It occurs in two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease when the plaque and tartar have just begun to irritate your teeth. Gums that have gingivitis are tender, swollen, and bleed when brushed or flossed, but no permanent or irreversible damage has yet occurred.
If left untreated, gingivitis develops into periodontitis. In periodontitis, your irritated gums begin to recede away from your teeth, creating “pockets” in between your teeth and gums. These pockets collect debris, which further irritates your gums causing even more recession and deeper pockets. This cycle continues until the bone structures and tissues that hold your teeth in place deteriorate, which frequently leads to tooth loss.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease is known as a “silent illness” because its symptoms can develop very gradually. Some of those symptoms include:
- Gums that are swollen, tender, or red
- Bad breath
- Gums that recede, creating the appearance of longer teeth
- Loose teeth
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Changes in how your bite feels when you close your mouth
Many people don’t notice that they have gum disease until it’s already progressed into its later stages, which is why it’s so important to be regularly monitored during routine cleanings and exams with your dental specialists at Presidential Dental Group.
How is gum disease treated?
The dental experts at Presidential Dental Group use a combination of laser technology and topical antibiotic therapy to treat gum disease and optimize your oral health.
In periodontal laser therapy, your dentist uses a state-of-the-art laser to remove your inflamed and damaged gum tissue from around the root of your tooth. The laser instrument allows your dentist to target the diseased tissues with increased precision and accuracy. For a procedure that’s noninvasive, it doesn’t require general anesthesia and boasts incredibly fast healing times. And because the laser cauterizes your tissue as it cuts it, there’s no need for stitches or sutures.
Once the damaged tissue is gone, your dentist performs a procedure called scaling and root planing. In scaling, your dentist scrapes off all of the harmful plaque and tartar from your teeth, giving you a healthy, non-irritating tooth surface. In root planing, your dentist smooths down the surface of your teeth in order to make it easier for your gums to reattach once they’ve healed, minimizing the pockets that have formed.
Finally, your dentist administers a topical antibiotic called Arestin®. Arestin is made up of tiny microspheres that make their way in between your teeth and gums. These microspheres release a powerful antibiotic over time that fights the infection in your gum and restores your oral health.
Don’t wait any longer to treat your gum disease. Schedule your appointment today with the dental experts at Presidential Dental Group. You can book your visit by phone or online.
