Gum Disease Treatment Lakewood
Targeted Treatment to Improve Gum Health
Gum disease is a common bacterial infection that can affect the gums, roots of the teeth, and the bone that supports them. Early symptoms include red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed easily and can eventually develop into the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the world.
We keep a close eye on our patients’ gums whenever they come to see us for preventive dental checkups. If you are dealing with gum disease, we can provide several targeted therapies in addition to working closely with a periodontist (gum specialist) close to your home or here in our dental office! Thanks to this coordinated effort, we can make sure your smile (not just your teeth) stays healthy and complete for years to come. If you’re experiencing the early signs of gum disease that we touched on above, contact us today and learn how we can help with gum disease treatment in Lakewood!
Why Choose Lakewood Complete Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Dental Treatment Helps Prevent The #1 Cause of Adult Tooth Loss
- Protects Your Smile & Your Oral & Overall Health
- Periodontist Provides Specialized Treatments In-House
Scaling & Root Planing
For mild to moderate cases of gum disease, we can reduce the infection by using a set of treatments called scaling and root planing. This can be thought of as a dental cleaning that is specifically focused on the gums and roots of the teeth. First, a member of our team will remove any plaque and tartar deposits located along the gumline (scaling), and then, the roots of the teeth will be gently smoothed out (root planing). This lowers the risk of plaque and bacteria gathering around the gums in the future, helping to keep our patients protected from reinfection.
Do You Need Scaling & Root Planing?
Dr. Vinnie’s top priority is to make sure your oral health stays on the right track, which is why our team screens for gum disease at each of your routine checkups and cleanings with us. If we find any signs of gum disease, we may recommend a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. Some of the signs that we keep an eye out for include:
- Gums that bleed whenever you brush or floss
- Gum recession that makes your teeth appear longer than they actually are
- A change in bite
- Chronic bad breath, also called halitosis
- Swollen, red, and puffy gums
- Gums that feel tender
- Dental sensitivity
If you notice any of these symptoms, give our team a call to schedule an examination as soon as possible.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, better known as a deep cleaning, is usually our second line of defense against signs of gum disease, right after improving at-home oral hygiene routines. This service typically takes place over the course of two appointments, with the first being a thorough cleaning as far down as the pockets of the gums. This will remove any plaque and tartar build-up, which harbor infection-causing bacteria from the area.
The second appointment will be the root planing procedure, which involves our team clearing away all hardened deposits of bacteria on the roots of the teeth. We aim to help the gums healthily reattach to the teeth, protecting the vulnerable underlying structures from further decay, and even tooth loss.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
After a deep cleaning in Lakewood, it’s likely that your mouth will feel sore, and even a little swollen. You may also experience collateral numbness from the local anesthesia we administered before your treatment for up to 12 hours after. It’s important to keep your mouth clean as you recover, rinsing with salt water every few hours to cleanse the mouth and alleviate discomfort. Continue brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, flossing, and rinsing your mouth as well to keep plaque from building up again.
Antibiotic Treatment
After an initial scaling and root planing treatment, our team offers to apply a topical antibiotic to the gums to eliminate any leftover bacteria that is still hidden deep beneath the gumline. For this, we’ll use Arestin, which quickly dries on the gums and then slowly dissolves over the next few days. This enables a powerful antimicrobial agent to seep below the gums and reach any remaining bacteria.