How Is Gum Disease Treated?
If you’re wondering why gum health is just as important as the health of your teeth, it’s because this soft tissue protects and keeps your teeth in place by acting as a seal around them. When your gums and teeth are neglected, you can be at risk of developing gum disease.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is inflammation and infection of the gums. The earliest stage is called gingivitis. If your oral hygiene and oral health habits don’t change, it will progress to periodontitis. Common warning signs of gum disease include:
- Swollen, Tender, and Bleeding Gums
- Receding Gums
- Persistent Bad Breath
- Gum or Dental Abscess
- Sensitive Teeth
- Loose Adult Teeth
Gum Disease Treatment
There are both surgical and non-surgical options to treat gum disease. The right treatment option will depend on the stage of the disease and the rest of your oral health. Scaling and root planing is often the first attempt at treating gum disease.
Scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, is a non-surgical option. This cleaning is sometimes done with local anesthesia to improve the patient’s comfort. Plaque and tartar are scaled away from above and below the gum line, and rough spots on the teeth are smoothed out during the cleaning. This deep cleaning cleans out pockets around the teeth and encourages the gums to attach back to the teeth.
Restorative Dentistry in Monroe, WA
If you think you have gum disease, our team at Donald Kim, DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, would be happy to have you in for a thorough evaluation to work on a custom treatment plan. We also provide an array of restorative dental services that can help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment! Visit our resource page to learn what you can expect during your first visit with us.
Gum disease treatment image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0
January 22, 2022 4:23 am