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Gum Disease Treatment – Denton, TX
Protecting Your Smile from All Angles
A fact that surprises many people is that the most common dental problem in the U.S. and around the world isn’t cavities, but gum disease. This is a bacterial infection that can develop along the gum line due to a lack of oral hygiene, leading to inflammation, tenderness, and even tooth loss if left untreated. At Prime Dentistry of Denton, we’re able to both prevent and treat gum disease in-house so our patients never have to worry about this potentially serious problem.
Why Choose Prime Dentistry of Denton for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Dedicated gum disease screenings at every appointment
- Deep cleanings eliminate infection at the source
- Treatments designed to prevent reinfection
Deep Cleaning
If we find that a patient does indeed have gum disease, our first line of treatment usually involves a deep cleaning, which consists of two separate techniques called scaling and root planing. Together, they help remove any plaque and tartar from along the gum line as well as smooth out the rough surfaces of the teeth’s roots, making it much less likely for bacteria to gather along the gums in the future.
Antibiotic Therapy
After the gums have been thoroughly cleaned, our team may choose to apply a topical antibiotic called Arestin. Arestin is made up of thousands of tiny microspheres, each one filled with a powerful antimicrobial agent. When placed on the gums, the microspheres slowly dissolve over the course of a few days, enabling the medicine to seep deep below the gum line and kill even the most well-hidden bacteria.
Pocket Irrigation
The tiny spaces located between the teeth and gums are called pockets, and they usually end up as the breeding ground for gum disease bacteria. For patients dealing with this infection, a pocket irrigation treatment serves to clean out these problem areas while also reducing their size, lowering a patient’s chances for reinfection in the future. This procedure can also aid in the healing of damage gum tissue, helping it firmly reattach to the teeth.
Periodontal Disease FAQs
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is much more common than you might think. In fact, the CDC has found that about half of all adults in the United States will suffer from periodontal disease at some point in their lives. It’s also the leading cause of tooth loss among Americans. In order to help you understand this condition a little better, you can read this list of periodontal disease FAQs.
How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease?
There are two stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. The early stage, gingivitis, presents itself in the form of mildly bleeding gums (especially when you brush or floss), or tender, sore, or red gums.
In comparison, periodontitis, the more advanced stage, is significantly more severe. Pockets will start to form between your teeth and your gums, and pus may occasionally leak out. Other symptoms include frequent mouth sores, persistent bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, and loose teeth. If you wait too long to seek treatment, you could lose your teeth altogether. That’s why, if you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to contact us right away!
Can Gum Disease Cause a Heart Attack?
Multiple studies have shown that people with gum disease are much more likely to suffer from heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. While it’s not exactly clear why, since the two conditions share many of the same risk factors, many scientists believe that bacteria present in your mouth can set off a chain reaction of inflammation throughout your body, including your heart. Similarly, infections in the gums have also been linked to lung disease, liver cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
In many cases, your lifestyle choices can greatly affect your oral health. Poor dental hygiene is a large contributor toward periodontal disease. Neglecting to brush and floss can cause plaque and tartar to accumulate along your gumline, both of which are full of harmful bacteria that result in infections. Smoking also puts you at greater risk.
With that being said, some uncontrollable factors also contribute to gum disease. For example, diabetes and genetics may play a role in whether your gums become infected.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
As with the vast majority of dental problems, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keeping up with your oral hygiene is crucial in maintaining healthy gums. It’s also important to attend regular checkups and cleanings so that we can both remove plaque and tartar from your gumline and detect any warning signs of periodontal disease early on. Additionally, it helps to avoid smoking and to eat a diet high in fresh produce and low in processed sugars. These steps can help your gums stay healthy for life!