Do not ignore gum disease. It starts with swollen and bleeding gums and progresses into a serious condition that affects the jawbone supporting your teeth. Gum disease develops when bacteria form a sticky plaque around the gumline and are not removed daily via brushing and flossing. Left untreated, it leads to tooth loss and increases your risk of a long list of medical conditions. Southern Colorado Periodontics and Implants recommends early treatment to protect both your teeth and overall health.
Resource: perio.org
Table of contents
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Comprehensive Evaluation
The first step in treating gum disease is a periodontal evaluation exam. To do this, the periodontist takes dental X-rays and measures the gum pockets in your mouth. Shallow gum pockets are normal, but the deeper the pockets, the worse the gum disease.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is the first step in treating gum disease. This deep-cleaning process removes plaque and tartar from around and under the gumline. This treatment helps reduce inflammation and supports gum healing before surgery becomes necessary. After treatment, patients will notice healthier gum tissue, with less bleeding and irritation. A follow-up visit is scheduled to assess how well the gums are healing.
Antibiotic Therapy
Antibiotic therapy may be used alongside your scaling and root planing treatment in certain cases based on your medical history.
Laser Therapy
Your gum disease treatment might include laser therapy, which uses light energy to kill germs and clear infected tissue to make way for gum healing. Laser therapy can be a gentle supplement to traditional therapy.
Periodontal Maintenance
One gum treatment does not mean you are cured forever. Oral bacteria will continue to try to find a home under your gums every day. Along with good oral hygiene, frequent ongoing periodontal maintenance cleanings are important to prevent a return of gum disease. During your maintenance appointments, we will review your gum pocket levels with you to catch any problems early.
Resource: cdc.gov
Schedule Your Appointment
If you are noticing symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, swelling, receding gums, loose teeth, or bad breath, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with Southern Colorado Periodontics and Implants for an examination.