Periodontal Disease Treatment
In addition to preventing tooth decay, the primary reason all dentists recommend practicing good oral hygiene habits at home and visiting the dentist regularly for professional teeth cleanings is to prevent periodontal disease.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Also called gum disease, periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that most commonly develops from poor oral hygiene practices.
When plaque and tartar are left to accumulate on the surface of the teeth, the buildup pushes the gums away from the teeth creating pockets where harmful bacteria thrive.
However, additional risk factors can contribute to its development, such as genetics, age, stress, tobacco use, bruxism, certain medications, and other systemic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Swollen/inflamed gums
- Tender gums
- Red gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Pus between the teeth or coming from the gums
- Receding gums
- Painfully sensitive teeth
- Visible plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth
- Persistently bad breath
In more severe cases in which bacteria affects the periodontal ligaments and jawbone structure, patients might also experience:
- Loose teeth
- Change in bite
- Tooth loss
- Degeneration of the jawbone
Why Periodontal Disease Should Never Be Left Untreated
In addition to wreaking havoc inside your mouth, periodontal disease can harm the health of your entire body. Bacteria from the gum infection can enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, causing generalized inflammation.
Periodontal disease has been strongly correlated with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, reproductive health problems, and more systemic concerns.
Periodontal Disease Treatment at Aurora Hills Dental
There are a variety of periodontic treatments designed to address different levels of periodontal disease. Dr. Zalesky can work with you to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for you, depending on how advanced your case is.
More Frequent Professional Cleanings
In mild cases, a combination of improved at-home oral hygiene and more frequent professional cleanings can be enough to manage and eventually eliminate the infection.
At-Home Periodontal Disease Management
We can provide you with various at-home treatments for managing periodontal disease and keeping bacterial growth in check. These treatments include antibiotics, antibiotic mouth rinses, and special antibiotic treatment trays designed specifically to address periodontal disease.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are deeper, more thorough dental cleaning techniques used to address periodontal disease.
Scaling treatments remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth, going down to the tooth’s root.
Root planing actually smooths the surface of the roots to eliminate crevices and grooves where bacteria can cling and thrive, making it more difficult for a bacterial infection to persist.
CO2 Laser Surgical Treatment for Periodontal Disease
In more severe cases, dead and diseased gum tissues need to be removed to effectively eliminate the infection. We use a special CO2 surgical laser to perform these types of gingivectomies.
The laser immediately sterilizes the treatment areas, cauterizes wounds, and reduces post-surgical infection risks. Laser surgery results in less inflammation and pain, making for a speedier recovery than traditional gingivectomy methods that use scalpels and sutures.
Gum Rejuvenation With the Pinhole Surgical Technique
Once all signs of infection have been eliminated, our dentist can talk with you about your options for restoring your gum health if severe gum recession has occurred.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Dentist in Aurora
If you think you might have periodontal disease or if it has been more than six months since your last dental exam and cleaning, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zalesky at Aurora Hills Dental.
After receiving a thorough cleaning with one of our dental hygienists, our dentist can evaluate your teeth and gum health and provide you with a periodontal disease management and treatment plan.
To schedule an appointment, we welcome you to contact us today.
