Combat Gum Disease with Non-Surgical but Effective Periodontal Gum Treatments

You may be aware that bacteria can thrive in various environments, but did you know it can also grow in your mouth? Yes, your mouth is home to billions of bacteria. While many of these bacteria are good, some can cause gum disease, damaging your gingival tissues and the surrounding structures.

Have you observed blood spots while brushing your teeth? Do you have swollen gums? You should be worried because these are classic symptoms of periodontal disease. If you suspect gum infection, scheduling an appointment with Rolling Oaks Dental is crucial, as gum disease can lead to irreversible damage to your smile. Dr. Larry Dougherty offers scaling, root planing, and other treatments to restore total gum health.

Gum Disease Explained

Gum disease occurs when plaque—a mixture of food debris, saliva, and harmful bacteria—irritates the gums and surrounding tissues. It occurs in stages, with the earliest stage being gingivitis. Gingivitis only affects the gums; its symptoms include gum swelling, bleeding, and redness.

If left untreated, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, which causes gums to pull away from the teeth. This gum recession forms deep pockets along the gum line, causing tartar and harmful bacteria to damage the gum-supporting ligaments. Besides receding gums, periodontitis causes bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and painful chewing.

Gum disease is unforgiving when you fail to treat it. Untreated periodontitis damages teeth-supporting bone, causing loose teeth and an uneven bite. Worse yet, harmful bacteria can seep into the bloodstream, potentially damaging vital organs like the heart, kidney, and liver.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease can be reversed through consistent brushing, flossing, and rinsing in its early stages. To monitor your progress, your bi-annual professional cleanings will now be scheduled every 3 to 4 months. Besides cleanings, we recommend a tongue scraper to keep bad bacteria under control. We highly recommend electric toothbrushes for optimal oral hygiene. Whatever it takes to motivate patients and keep them on track is a good thing!

If you have moderate to advanced gum disease, the following treatments may be necessary.

Periodontal cleaning: Also known as deep teeth cleaning, this non-invasive treatment involves two procedures: scaling and root planing. Scaling eliminates dental calculus and harmful bacteria below and above the gum line using hand instruments and ultrasonic devices. Root planing smoothes the rough surfaces of the roots to discourage bacteria growth.

Antibiotic therapy: Topical and oral antibiotics help eliminate gum disease-causing bacteria.

In cases where gum disease severely affects your bone and gum tissues, advanced treatments such as gum flap surgery and bone and soft tissue grafting may be required. Our dental team will guide you every step of the way to ensure your gums get to a healthy, natural pink color.

Effective Periodontal Maintenance Near Me

Rolling Oaks Dental offers periodontal therapy in Garden Ridge, TX, and its environs to keep your smile infection-free. To learn more, please call (210) 880-2229 to speak to our dental team.