Gum disease is very common and affects an estimated 50% of U.S. adults (or around 65 million people). If left untreated, this common condition can not only lead to tooth loss, but also increase your risk of serious illnesses like heart disease. At Greenwood Dental, we want to help you maintain good oral health and overall well-being, so we offer multiple types of gum disease therapy that address the root cause of gum disease. If you think your gums could use some help, give us a call to schedule an appointment. After Dr. Greenwood has evaluated your needs, he'll create the perfect treatment plan for your smile.
Gum disease occurs when plaque and bacteria cause inflammation and damage the gums and underlying bone that surround the roots of the teeth. These structures support the teeth and keep them in place, giving them the stability they need for chewing hard, crunchy, or tough foods.
One of the first symptoms of gum disease is bleeding gums, particularly after brushing or flossing. This early stage is called gingivitis and may also include swollen or tender gums. As gum disease progresses to more advanced stages, you may notice more severe bleeding, chronic bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, or discomfort when chewing.
Many people don't realize it, but gum health is the foundation of their smile. By getting the treatment you need, you'll greatly reduce your risk of tooth loss. Not to mention the many studies that have found that having healthy gums lowers your risk of:
If you notice any of the symptoms of gum disease mentioned above, give us a call. As a dentist in Sagamore Hills, we have several different treatments that are very effective, but the earlier we start, the better.
With advanced training and experience, we can also use a soft-tissue laser to treat your gums, which offers many significant benefits. This concentrated beam of light is not only gentle, but also very effective at targeting and killing bacteria (the source of gum disease) under the gumline.
Not to mention that it's so comfortable that anesthetic isn’t usually necessary, which is ideal for patients who don’t like needles. In addition, you'll have significantly less bleeding and won't need sutures or stitches. And since we can be more precise with a laser, we're able to treat diseased gum tissue without affecting healthy tissue, so you'll heal faster as well.
Applying a topical antibiotic under your gums can be a wonderful addition to either of the above therapies. This “gel” is only placed in isolated areas where it's needed and offers extra antibacterial protection for your gums. You could almost compare it to applying antibiotic ointment to a cut after it’s been cleaned, except it's used under the gums instead.
Finally, after your initial gum disease therapy, we'll recommend coming in for cleanings every 3, 4, or 6 months (depending on the severity of your gum disease). These visits will maintain your progress and keep your gums healthy over the long-term.
To fight your gum disease at its source, we may suggest scaling and root planing, which are the two main parts of a dental deep cleaning. With scaling and root planing, we can target the harmful bacteria hiding beneath your gumline that are contributing to your gum disease. This treatment can go a long way toward reducing your inflammation while giving the gums the opportunity to heal.
The answer to this question largely depends on how advanced your gum disease currently is. If it is still in the gingivitis stage, you may be able to remedy the problem with good oral hygiene habits (i.e., brushing two times a day, flossing daily, and periodically rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash). But if your gum disease has already reached its more advanced stages, then we may recommend scaling and root planing to ensure that the problem doesn’t grow worse.
Keep an eye out for the warning signs of gum disease, such as swollen or bleeding gums, teeth that look longer than normal, or bad breath that won’t go away. If you’re experiencing such symptoms, there’s a good chance that scaling and root planing may be necessary to get your oral health back on track.
The scaling and root planing process often takes around 2 to 4 appointments; the exact number of visits needed can vary depending on your situation. We’ll begin with scaling, which is when we remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums using a special dental instrument. We’ll target the area beneath your gumline and make a point of cleaning all the way down to the bottom of any pockets that have appeared between the teeth and gums.
Once scaling is complete, we can move on to root planing. This involves smoothing out any rough areas on your tooth roots. Not only will a smoother surface encourage the gums to reattach themselves to the teeth, but it will also help prevent future bacteria buildup.
It may take a few weeks for your mouth to recover after scaling and root planing, and it’s normal to experience some level of discomfort and sensitivity during this time. In order to ensure that the healing process is as smooth and comfortable as possible, try following these helpful tips: